■^. 




REV. WM. A. HOUGHTON. 



HISTORY 



TOWN OF BERLIN 



WORCESTER COUNTY, MASS., 



FROM 1784 TO 1895. 



By WILLIAM A. HOUGHTON. 




WORCESTER, MASS.: 

F. S. Blanchard & Co., Printers, 154 Front Street. 

1895. 

;0w. 



TO 

THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS 

OF THE 

TOWN OF BERLIN, 

WHETHER AT HOME OR ABROAD, WHO RETAIN AX 

INHERENT LOVE FOR THE PEACE 

OF THEHl BUITH, 

AND TO ALL OTHERS WHO BY KINSHIP OR 

RESIDENCE STILL HAVE AN INTEREST 

IN THE TOWN, 

THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULIA' DEDICATED. 




Rev. Geo. F. Pratt. E. C. Shattuck. 

Hon. Wm. Bassett. 
P. B. SouTHwicK, Es(^ Miss Phebe Holder. 



PREFACE. 



In presenting this volume to the public, it becomes 
the duty of the committee who have had the work of 
completing and publishing the "History of Berlin," 
which was begun by the Rev. Wm. A. Houghton 
about the year 1885, briefly to relate the circum- 
stances attending the publishing of this work. The 
work of Mr. Houghton, in the first place, consisted 
of collecting the family records of the early settlers 
of the town. In this he spent much time and labor, 
but as time went on, his interest in the work increased 
until he resolved to combine with the ancient records 
those of modern times, embracing all the families 
now living here, and also to combine in the work a 
brief history of the town. The distinguishing feat- 
ure of his work was evidently to be genealogical 
rather than historical, and the whole when com- 
pleted was to be about one-half the size of this, 
volume. He labored alone, without proffered as- 
sistance or assurance of reward, until 1889, when 
the town took the matter up and chose a committee 
of two, consisting of William Bassett and E. C. vShat- 
tuck, to assist Mr. Houghton in his work, but the 
committee in this case were merely honorary mem- 
bers, never having performed any service during the 
lifetime of Mr. Houghton. 

After the death of Mr. Houghton, the town took 
further action and chose the Rev. George F. Pratt, 



VI PREFACE. 

Pliny B. vSouthwick and Phebe A. Holder to be 
added to the committee already chosen. We were 
fortunate in securing the manuscripts before the 
bui-ning of his house, but his portraits, sufficient in 
number for the book, were lost in the conflagration, 
together with the excellent steel plate from which 
they were made. The manuscripts, as they came 
into the hands of the committee, required more than 
ordinary assiduity and patient research in order to 
understand what was written, and this may be 
reasonably attributed in a large degree to the pe- 
culiar chirography of the writer, as also to the 
numerous erasures and interlineations of the text. 
The only solution of the difficulty seemed to be, in 
consecpaence of the many additions necessarily to be 
made in order to embrace more topics of interest, 
to rewrite the entire work, preserving at the same 
time, as near as practicable, the arrangement and 
form of expression as he left them. Now, after 
more than two years of labor and anxiety, the com- 
mittee in charge of the work present to the town 
this volume, hoping that sufficient material has been 
gathered up and preserved to warrant the expense 
incurred in publishing the " History of the Town of 
Berlin," bv Rev. William A. Housfhton. 



ILLUvSTRATIONS. 



Allen, Mr. and Mrs. C. K. 

B — Group 
B — Group 
Babcock, Josiah 
Bailey, Francis P. 
Balance Rock . 
Barnes, Geo. H., house 
Bartlett, Amory Adam, Esq 
Bassett, Daniel H. 
Bassett, \Vm., house 
Belmont House 
Bennett, A. F. 
Berry, Thos. C. 
Bickford, J. C. 
Bride, Josiah 
Bruce, Geo. H., house 
Bullard Mouse 

C — Group 

Carter, Chandler 

Carter, S. R. . 

Carter, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis 

Carter, Mary W. 

Carter, Sanderson, house 

Centre \'illlage 

Durston, Rev. A. F. 

F — Group 
Felton, Henry O. 

G. A. R., Tost 54 . 
Gott, Dr. Lemuel 



247 

250 
254 
252 
265 

47 
279 
286 
289 
296 

98 
432 
279 
290 

305 
301 

314 

316 

319 
322 

247 
319 

324 
1 1 1 

548 

337 
346 



188, 190 
366 



Page. 
Gott, Mrs. Lemuel, and house 36S 
Green, Mr. and Mrs. Ed- 
ward F. 



L. 



H — Group 

Hartshorn, Dr. Edward 
Hartshorn, Mrs. Edward 
Hartshorn, Wm. H. 
Hartshorn, Wm. H., house 
Hartshorn, E. H. 
Hastings, Mrs. C. S. 
Hastings, Ruihven . 
Hastings, Leslie 
Hastings, Arthur 
Hastings, Arthur, house 
Hastings, R. S., store 
Hebard, Ella A. 
Holt, Mrs. Meriam 
Houghton, Mrs. W. A. 
Howe, Wm. A. 
Howe, S. H. . 

Jackson, Henry 
Johnson, A. J. 
Jones Inn 

Keyes, Chas. G. 

Larkin, J. F., house . 
Longley, A. W. 

' M— Group 
Map of Lancaster 
Map of Berlin . 
Maynard, Mrs. Lucinda B 



370 

371 
373 
374 
376 
378 
549 
380 
380 
380 
550 
552 
194 

432 
562 
448 
39S 
397 

435 

401 

98 

401 

417 
40 1 

423 
8 

58 

432 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Meeting-house (old) 
Meeting-house, ground plan 
Methodist Ministers 
Methodist Church 
Moore, Joseph 
Moore, John A. 
Morse, Lyman 

Newton, Wm. 

Orthodox Church 
Orthodox Ministers, Dea 
cons. Superintendents, 
Osgood, John O. 

Parker Shoe Shop (big) 
Parker Shoe Shop, present 
Parker, John H. 
Peters, Mrs. Luther 
Pollard, Thos. 
Powder House 
Priest, Jo. and the Wid. 
Priest, Luther and the Sow 

R — Group 

Rand, Rev. Francis A. 

Rand, Mr. and Mrs. Mer 

rick R. 
Rice, Nathan . 
Rice, Capt. Seth 

S — Group 
Sawyer, Stephen 
Sawyer, Josiah E. 



Page. 

II I 

112 

132 

129 

435 
432 
556 

441 

69 

124, 125 

445 

90 

91 
562 
448 
401 

98 
457 
457 

463 

464 

463 
463 
463 

471 
558 
487 



Page. 
Sawyer, Frank L. . . 491 

Sawyer, Edwin . . 489 

Sawyer, Mrs. Edwin . 490 

Sawyer, E. Irving . . 557 
Sawyer, Mrs. E. Irving . 558 
Sawyer, Chas. M., house . 369 
Sawyer, Deacon Josiah's Leap 48 
School-house (East) . loi 

Sleeping Rock . . 48 

Soldiers Deceased 152, 154, 156, 158 
Soldiers Living 162, 164, 166 

Stone House . . . 269 



Store, R. S. Hastings' 
Street in Centre 
Street in Carterville 

Town Hall 

Unitarian Church 
Unitarian Ministers . 

'' W — Group 
W, C. T. U. . 
Wheeler, Henry A. . 
Wheeler, Erastus S. 
Wheeler, Samuel, house 

and greenhouses 
Wheeler, Lewis B., house 
Wheeler, Daniel, house 
White, Perry H. 
Whitcomb, Myron L. 
Women's Relief Corps 
Women's Relief Corps 



194 

45 
46 

194 

127 
128 

511 
234 

525 

562 

301 

524 

98 

531 
562 

151 

152. 154 



History of Berlin. 



CHAPTER I. 

INTRODUCTION. 

We do not dignify our endeavor as a History of 
Berlin. A recent American author defines his at- 
tempt as a "History of the People of the United 
States." It is the people who make most that goes 
for histor>\ Our town has no town life till the close 
of the Revolutionary war. Accustomed as we are 
to the thrilling experiences of Lancaster and Marl- 
boro, the first thing some will look for will be our 
relation to matters before we had a town life at all. 
Only as connected territorily with Lancaster had the 
families of Berlin any experience with the Indians. 
The several wars between England and France, 
which involved the colonies, affected us only as citi- 
zens of Lancaster, or later, of Bolton. This does not, 
of course, affect our ancestral connecton with the 
trying events of those days. Had our territory never 
been divided, we should have been one in town rela- 
tionship from King Philip and the Lancaster massa- 
cre to the suiTcnder of Burgoyne and Cornwallis. 
What I have endeavored to show in these mat- 
ters is the relation of the inhabitants of Berlin ter- 
ritory to the events which have made up our 230 
years of associated life, 1654- 1884. Six families 



2 HISTORY OF THE 

of the fifty-five original proprietors of Lancaster 
have been represented in Berlin descendants. In this 
out relative number exceeds, I think, that of Bolton. 
We have the names Houghton, Sawyer, Fairbanks, 
Moore, Kerley and Gates. Of later settlers we have 
Bailey, Bennett, Butler, Carter, Hudson and Priest. 
Another list, of course, on the Marlboro side. To 
find the origin of these families and somewhat of 
their history, has been my purpose. I came to look 
upon the effort as a sacred duty. Noting from 
year to year the death of our most aged inhabitants, 
who alone had any personal knowledge of our earliest 
townsmen and towns women, myself hastening on, who 
perhaps had the best opportunity to preserve their 
recollections and obtain the testimony of others, my 
seniors and equals in age, I appreciated somewhat 
the statement of the Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, most 
eminent in American genealogy and historical re- 
search, in which he said: "To know nothing of our 
ancestry, or whence we came, to have no reverence 
for the precious memories of the past, or interest in 
those who are to succeed us, is to ignore the ele- 
ments and influences that have made us what we ' 
are." 

It had never occurred to me to attempt the writing' 
of a history of my native town before our centennial 
in 1884. I had, indeed, gathered items and data to 
a very limited extent, only thinking they might be 
of service to some one who should be cgilled upon or 
self-moved to undertake the work. Even our cen- 
tennial did not of itself bring me to any determina- 
tion of the kind. The motion of Hon. William Bas- 
sett in town meeting, that we observe our centennial 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



by celebration, including a historical address by my- 
self, I freely accepted. That study opened the gen- 
eral subject in a new light; even of an obligation, as 
a native citizen, for most of my life, to gather to- 
gether and to put on permanent record such histori- 
cal data of our early and later families as are yet ob- 
tainable, in order that the living may appreciate their 
indebtedness to their ancestry, and that the coming 
generations may know something of us when we have 
passed away. It is a reproach to our modem civil- 
ization that we may go into many a respectable 
family and not be able to obtain even the name of 
the great grand parent on either side, sometimes 
not even the grand parents. We have been too busy 
with the present and too anxious for the future to 
ask what our forefathers did for us, and these estates, 
which we drive by daily, perhaps held in "fee sim- 
ple," how m.any can tell their origin? I confess to 
the greatly increased enjoyment in traversing my 
native town, to know the line of ownership and occu- 
pancy; to know the roots, virtually, of almost every 
estate in town. How much more to recall the own- 
ers and toilers thereon. 

But the very field we wished to explore, family 
history, is painfully barren of records. But for the 
700 baptisms of children, the task of a history of 
Berlin families would have been hopeless. The 
old "Half-way Covenant" was a blessing to Ber- 
lin, historically at least. The record of marriages is 
imperfect, of deaths, doubly so. Of such as we 
have, many were hunted up by some town clerk. 
Cemetery records include not more than half who 
have been buried. In 1831 Rev. R. F. Walcutmade 



HISTORY OF THE 



a complete record of all inscriptions in the old ceme- 
tery. This has been a great help. Rev. D. R. Lam- 
son continued a record of deaths and marriages down 
to 1840. Dea. John Bartlett, who had been clerk of 
the Unitarian Church, continued it till the parishes 
were reunited in 1 844. 

Not till 1850 did registration laws compel town 
officers to keep public records of births, deaths and 
marriages as now. We have a painful gap in the 
decade 1840-50. 

For help and helpers I am much indebted to Mar- 
vin's "Lancaster," Hudson's "Marlboro," and, unex- 
pectedly, to Ward's "vShrewsbury." Hon. Henry S. 
Nourse's "Annals of Lancaster" has been of very 
much help. My associates also of the Centennial 
Committee have contributed aid in very many par- 
ticulars. Mr. Albert Babcock, many years town 
clerk, "posted" me in many particulars. I am much 
indebted to very many of our "oldest inhabi- 
tants." 

On the Sawyer families, Mr. Amory Carter, now 
of Worcester and blind by powder blast, has wrought 
an extensive work. He has communicated freely. 
Of others not of the committee, Mrs. Lewis Carter, 
born 1800, now in good possession of her mental 
powers, has given ma.ny points not otherwise obtain- 
able. Miss Kat)' Bride has been abundantly help- 
ful. Mrs. Oliver Fosgate has contributed valuable 
reminiscences. Miss Catherine Larkin and Miss 
Sybil Brigham had already given me useful facts, 
Mr. Abraham Bigelow, now of Northboro, should 
have been appointed genealogist of Berlin years ago. 
To Mr. Artemas Barnes and sisters I am also much in- 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 5 

debtee!. Mr. Cyrus Felton of Marlboro has gener- 
ously aided me, in the Bailey and Jones families 
especially. 

School histories have given to the present genera- 
tion a moderate knowledge of the origin of our 
colonies, our states, and our government. When and 
where do we fall into the great tide of events which 
have made us a part of the mightiest nation on earth, 
and the only really Republican government ? I must 
assume the antecedent historic facts without elucida- 
tion. We find ourselves in possession of our homes, 
which constitute a township. What was its origin? 
Our fathers, who were they? The locality is perma- 
nent. Our ancestors have lived and wrought for us 
and passed on. A few of the sixth and seventh gen- 
erations remain. A few of these, only a few, can 
trace their ancestral line more than three genera- 
tions. Recent investigations have wrought very 
helpfully in that line. vSome few are able to trace 
their lineage to first immigrants. A smaller number 
go back into generations antedating the Pilgrims. 
I have only sought to reach, by personal investiga- 
tions, the head of each family at the date of arrival 
here. The Massachusetts Genealogical and Historical 
Society, Somerset street, Boston, have agencies abroad 
connecting American families with their ancestry 
across the ocean, — not to get great "estates," but to 
know the stock from which they sprung. Our Hast- 
ings families can show an ancestry as old as Alfred 
the Great, founder of English civilization. Lots of 
"peerages" they have held. Three now seem to be 
lying about, "with scarcely an heir," says the histo- 
rian, "to bear the title." They have a better history 



6 HISTORY OF THE 

here than "peerages" would give them. The ballot, 
or a farm, is worth more than a peerage. 

HISTORY WHILE OF LANCASTER — 1653-I738. 

The history of Berlin would be incomplete and 
unsatisfactory if the more important events which 
transpired while the town was a part of old Lancas- 
ter should be omitted. The primeval causes which 
led to the settlement of the mother town, together 
with the events which followed, are essential factors 
in presenting a clear view of the town from the be- 
ginning. While it is not our intention to republish 
matters having no special connection with our town, 
it becomes our duty to briefly relate the principal 
events and occurrences which preceded our munic- 
ipal life, which had at least an indirect effect in 
shaping the development of this territory. Of the 
proprietors and early settlers of Lancaster, six of 
them, or their descendants, became settlers in what 
is now the present town of Berlin. To any who 
may desire a more extended account of early Lan- 
caster, Marvin's " History " and Nourse's "Annals" 
of Lancaster will give the desired information. The 
town of Lancaster was the earliest in settlement 
and in town grant in Worcester county. What led 
to the settlement of the town at the early date of 
1643 was the trading adventure made by Thomas 
King of Watertown and Henry Symonds of Bos- 
ton, by invitation of vSholan, chief of the Nashaway 
tribe of Indians, whose headquarters were near the 
Washacum lake, in Sterling. Their trading, or 
trucking, post was established on the eastern slope 
of George hill, not far distant from the north branch 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



of the river. The traffic consisted in the exchange 
of furs and peltries for cloths, hardware and trinkets. 
This place was quite distant from other settlements, 
the nearest being Sudbury, fifteen miles distant. Its 
isolated position was such that immediate succor 
could not readily be obtained in case of an Indian 
outbreak. The natives were friendly, and not very 
numerous in the immediate vicinity. Their num- 
bers may have been depleted by diseases, as had 
tribes nearer the coast, or by wars with other tribes. 
Hence it may be seen that this valley of the Nash- 
away, with its rich and extensive meadows already 
bearing grass in abundance for cattle, was an invit- 
ing field for the enterprising pioneer, who began to 
feel straitened for room in the older towns. This 
truckinof house became the nucleus around which 
settlements began. The tract of land bought of 
Sholan was ten miles north and south and eight 
miles east and west, and the consideration was 
twelve pounds. King and Symonds both died 
within about a year, and consequently their rights 
in the Nashaway Company fell into other hands. 
John Prescott of Watertown became the owner of 
the trucking house lot 1647. He was a man of 
great energy and enterprise, and was really the 
founder of the town of Lancaster. Associated with 
him in the new settlement was Thomas S'awyer, 
who married his daughter Mary ; also John Hough- 
ton, John Moore, Jonas Fairbanks, William Kerley 
and Stephen Gates. The descendants of these men 
were among the first settlers on our territory. The 
Nashaway plantation was incorporated as the town 
of Lancaster 1653, but the survey of the township 



8 , HISTORY OF THE 

was delayed till 1659 (Noyes' survey), when it was 
found by the surveyor that Marlboro had scooped in 
the valley of the Assabet, which, by the terms of 
the grant, belonged to Lancaster. Marlboro, al- 
though later in settlement, was earlier in the field 
with suiveyor, and carved out such as best pleased 
them. 

In surveying the east line of Lancaster, running 
from the northeast corner southerly, the northwest 
corner of Marlboro was struck near the Daniel Strat- 
ton place in Hudson, and thence diverging westerly 
with the Marlboro line to a point near South Berlin. 
By the cutting off of this slice the south line was 
about six and a-half miles in length. The effect of 
this eventually was the irregular line on our eastern 
border we have to-day, whereas if the eastern line of 
Lancaster had been run straight through, as per 
grant, the whole of Robin hill would naturally have 
come within our limits. 

The most notable events which occurred in the 
mother town while Berlin territory was part of her 
domain, were the massacres and destruction caused 
by the Indian wars. The first of these was King 
Philip's war, which began 1675, and closed the next 
year with the death of Philip and the defeat of his 
savage allies. It is not necessary to detail all the 
events of King Philip's war. It is sufficient for the 
purposes of this work to present what happened to 
Lancaster in consequence of this outbreak. Lancaster 
had been settled more than thirty years, and had at- 
tained the proportions of a considerable town. Peace- 
ful relations had been maintained with the neighbor- 
ing tribe. Sholan was dead, and Sagamore Sam, alias 



1653 - I 8 83 




N oy^S- S U R V t y'. ;65! 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 9 

Shoshanim, reigned in his place. The Indians were 
less friendly than at first, but no immediate rupture 
was entertained as probable before hostilities were 
commenced by the southern tribes in the summer, 

1675. In the meantime Philip, or his emissaries, 
had succeeded in enlisting- a number of the more 
northern tribes in his confederacy, and among them 
were the Nashaways, with Sagamore Sam and 
Monoco, alias Maliompe (One-eyed John), of the 
Nipmucks, at Brookfield. The first bloody raid 
on Lancaster was made August i6, 1675, by Monoco, 
w4th the Nashaways and other Indians. Eight per- 
sons were killed and their bodies mangled in a most 
horrible and barbarous manner. As a precautionary 
measure of safety, soon after, five of their houses 
were fortified, being furnished with a stockade or 
flankers. The work on these garrisons, as they 
were called, was incomplete when one of the most 
bloody tragedies of Indian warfare ever known in 
the province occurred on the tenth day of February, 

1676, in the almost entire destruction of Old Lan- 
caster. This has sometimes been called the "Row- 
landson massacre," from the fact that the Rev. 
Joseph Rowlandson was at the time minister there, 
and that his wife Mary and three children were 
carried into captivity, and that after her ransom 
and return she wrote a book, giving a vivid and 
thrilling account of her captivity and life among the 
Indians, which had an extensive circulation. After 
the defeat of Philip with the Narragansetts the 
December previous, 500 of his warriors united with 
the Nashaways, Nipmucks and other tribes for the 
destruction of the frontier settlements. The plan of 



lO HISTORY OF THE 

the attack was made undoubtedly by Sagamore Sam 
and Monoco (One-eyed John), chiefs of the Nash- 
aways and Nipmucks. The assault was made at 
sunrise in five places. The people were nearly all 
in the fortified houses. The greatest slaughter was 
at the Rowlandson mansion, which was burned, and 
nearly all the inmates were either killed or carried 
away captives. Nearly all the houses were burned, 
except the garrisoned ones. The total number of 
casualties appear to have been fifty-five. Of these, 
twenty were carried into captivity, most of whom 
were afterwards ransomed. Soon after this direful 
event the town was abandoned, and all the remain- 
ing houses, except the ineeting-house and two on 
Wataquodock hill, were burned soon after by In- 
dians prowling in the vicinity. Among the family 
names of those who suft'ered in this massacre we 
note those of Jonas Fairbank, William Kerley and 
Thomas vSawyer, whose descendants became first 
settlers on our territory. 

At the close of King Philip's war, 1676, the Nash- 
away tribe was broken up. Numbers joined the 
Penacooks, Mohawks and other northern and west- 
ern tribes. The chiefs. Sagamore Sam, alias Sho- 
shanim, and One-eyed John, alias Monoco, having sur- 
rendered to the authorities, were hanged in Boston, 
September 26, 1 676, their wives and children sent to 
the Bermudas and sold as slaves. The great con- 
spirator and ringleader, King Philip, disheartened 
by his failures and deserted by his former friends 
and allies, retired to Mount Hope, the home of 
Philip, near Swansea, R. I., and was hunted down 
and killed by one of his own tribe. This ended King 



TOWN OF BERLIN. I I 

Philip's war, the most bloody tragedy recorded in the 
history of New England. 

RESETTLEMENT OF THE TOWN. 

After the lapse of three or four years, former resi- 
dents and settlers began to return and build up the 
waste places. By the provisions of law they had to 
begin anew in the organization of the town, the 
same as if no grant had before .been made. Appli- 
cation was made to the General Court for a new 
charter, which was granted. The returned refugees 
and the other settlers constituted seventeen or eight- 
een families. Among these was John Prescott, the 
foremost man in the first settlement, and again the 
prime leader in the second. He died December — , 
1 68 1. This famous man, so renowned in the early 
history of Lancaster, was one of the ancestors of all 
the Sawyers of Berlin. Among the new-comers was 
Samuel Carter, the ancestral head of the Berlin Car- 
ters. These, together with John Houghton, the 
town clerk in the new regime, and also the Moore 
and Fairbank families, have been largely repre- 
sented in Berlin. 

KING WILLIAM'S WAR. 

The English and French colonies in America 
became involved in war by reason of the war be- 
tween England and France during the reign of Wil- 
liam and Mar}% lasting from 1689 to 1697, and this 
was followed by a succession of three other Indian 
and French wars, ending in 1763. As early as 1608 
the French had made a permanent settlement in 



12 HISTORY OF THE 

Canada, hence at the beginning of this war, they 
had been there nearly a century and occupied a 
large portion of lower Canada. They, unlike the 
English, assimilated with the Indians, intermarried 
with them, gained their friendship and good will, 
and consequently their adherence as allies. 

The object of the French ostensibly was to gain a 
firmer foothold in America: by driving away the 
English colonists, whose settlements were mostly 
confined to the seaboard, and convert what is now 
the United States into New France; — how they suc- 
ceeded, the history of this and subsequent French 
and Indian wars will tell. In pursuance of this 
design, the northern tribes, led in part by French 
ofiicers, made frequent raids on the more exposed 
and isolated English settlements. Lancaster was 
visited by a small band of these savages July i8, 
1692, but the town was well fortified, having eight 
garrisons scattered in different parts of the town. 

The family of Peter Joslin was surprised; five 
were killed and three were captured and carried 
away. About five years after, Sept. 11, 1697, the 
town was again attacked, with more serious and 
disastrous consequences. The garrisons had been 
increased and strengthened. The people were not 
apprehensive of danger and they were taken by sur- 
prise. Men were in the fields or in their houses and 
the garrison gates were left open. The result of 
this bloody raid and massacre was that nineteen 
were killed and eight carried into captivity, some of 
whom were afterwards ransomed and returned to 
their homes. Among the slain were a number of the 
Hudson and Fairbank families, whose descendants 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



13 



settled in our town. This war closed 1697 and was 
soon followed by another, known as 

QUEEN ANNE'S WAR — I 704. 

In the Slimmer of 1704 a large force of French 
and Indians under Monsieur Boocore attacked 
Northampton, but as the place was well fortified, 
they gave up the contest. A part returned to Can- 
ada. About 400 turned eastward and made an 
onslaught on Lancaster. In this attack, which 
began early in the morning of July 3 1 , the enemy 
was repulsed with considerable loss. Reinforce- 
■ ments having arrived from Marlboro during the day, 
the town was saved from other loss than the burn- 
ing of a number of dwellings and the meeting-house. 
One Lancaster man and three soldiers were killed in 
the affray. The next visit of the Indians with hos- 
tile intent was Oct. 15, 1705, when Thomas Sawyer, 
Jr., his son Elias and John Bigelow of Marlboro 
were in Thomas Sawyer, Jr.'s, saw-mill near the 
Deer's horn and were taken captive and carried 
away fo Canada. ( For further particulars, see arti- 
cle, "Thomas vSawyer," in the genealogical part of 
this work.) With this brief epitome of tragic 
events, we close this recital of assaults and brutali- 
ties inflicted on the early settlers of Lancaster. The 
peace of Utrecht, 171 3, brought the war to a close, 
and the people in their homes were undisturbed by 
the French and Indians to any very great extent 
afterwards; but in subsequent wars with tribes 
north and east, some of our men were participants, 
and among these was Jabez Fairbanks, the famous 
Indian scout, whose particular service is more fully 



14 . HISTORY OF THE 

shown in Marvin's " History " and Nourse's " Annals," 
and brief mention may be found in this work under 
the head of Fairbanks families. 

Having briefly sketched the principal historical 
events which occurred while our territory was a part 
of the mother town and in which the ancestors of 
some of the first settlers of our town took an active 
part, we propose now to take a glance backward and 
see what progress had been made in the settlement 
of this township at the time we were disannexed 
from Lancaster and became a part of Bolton. At 
this time Lancaster had been incorporated eighty- 
five years and had passed through a series of tragic 
events incident to Indian warfare, which have be- 
come matters of general history, and with the recital 
of these in the foregoing pages and the addition of 
the names of the brief number of those who were 
settlers here prior to 1738, the time of the excision 
from the old town of Lancaster, we close the account, 
leaving all other matters, civil and religious, pertain- 
ing to any of our citizens when they were of the 
mother town, to the records of the same made in the 
" History " and " Annals " of the old township. It may 
appear at first sight singular that so long a period 
should have elapsed with so few settlements, but it 
must be remembered that land was plenty and men 
were few, and that Indian wars were of frequent oc- 
currence during the entire period. 

In that part of the town originally a part of Lancas- 
ter, we find only the following names of settlers here 
prior to 1738, and only two or three here before 1723, 
and these were John Houghton, 3d, on the Ephraim 
Goddard farm, and Jabez Fairbanks, Jr., on the old 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 5 

Fairbanks place at the corner, and John Moore on 
the John M. Kelley place.* The others on the list 
were : James Butler (on the John Collins place), 
Samuel Moore (on the Stone house farm), Hezekiah 
Gibbs (on F. A. Woodward's), Francis McFadin (on 
P. A. Randall's), Ephraim Fairbanks (on corner by J. 
D. Southwick's), Isaac Moore, Sr., (on Wm. W. 
Wheeler's), Wilson Pratt, father of Abijah, (on Daniel 
Wheeler place), Andrew McElwain (on the Samuel 
Spofford farm), Philip Larkin (in Larkindale), Philip 
Brookins (on Jarvis Wheeler's), Daniel Bruce (on Ira 
Brown place), James Fife (on Jonas Carter's), Robert 
Fosgate (on the Gates farms), Joseph Priest (on the 
Rufus R. Wheeler old place). 

The exact time they moved on these places cannot 
be accurately determined at this time. The deeds 
are chiefly our guides in this matter. 

Now we must part with Old Lancaster and become 
an integral part of Bolton. The first move made for 
the separation was a petition from persons living in 
the east part of Lancaster, presented to the town at 
a meeting held May i6, 1733. The prayer of the 
petitioners was as follows: "Setting forth the many 
hardships and difficulties which we for these many 
years have undergone in getting to the public wor- 
ship of God, and in a peculiar manner in the winter 
season, these are, therefore, to request of you that 
you put it into your next warrant to see whether the 
town will set off all the inhabitants on the east side 
the river to be a separate town or precinct, begin- 
ning at Shrewsbury line and so down said river till 



"^ It is quite uncertain whether Jabez Fairbanks or John Moore lived on these 
places at that time. — Com. 



1 6 HISTORY OF THE 

you come to Harvard line, excepting the interval lots 
of land on the east side of said river." Signed by 
Josiah Wheeler, William Pollard, Joshua Moore, 
Jabez Fairbanks, Jona. Moore, William Keyes, John 
Whitney, Jeremiah Holman, Nathaniel Holman,Thos. 
Whitney and William vSawyer. The prayer of the 
petitioners in this case was not granted at this time, 
but a second petition for the same object, signed by 
John Moore and others, presented to the town March, 
1735-6, prevailed, and Bolton went before the Gen- 
eral Court with the benediction of the old mother 
town. The act of incorporation was passed on the 
24th of June, 1738. The church was formed in Bol- 
ton Nov. 4, 1 74 1, when the Rev. Thomas Goss was 
ordained their first pastor. It will be noted that none 
of the names on the first petition, except possibly 
Jabez Fairbanks, were of Berlin territory. 

In passing from one environment to that of another, 
it iTiay be well to pause and view the situation. It 
will be seen that not niuch progress had been made 
in the settlement of this territory while a part of Lan- 
caster, and these were mostly in the north part, and 
hence nearer church and town house. It may be safe- 
ly assumed that the entire population at this time 
would not much exceed fifty, including women and 
children, as most of the settlers were young men just 
starting in life, with no families other than wife and 
one or two children. After this date (1738) settle- 
ments herein progressed very rapidly, and all the 
available land was taken up and occupied while this 
territory was a part of Bolton. No serious apprehen- 
sions were entertained at this time of future Indian 
raids or massacres by tribes of the old Bay State, but 



TOWN OF BERLIN. I? 

the more distant ones near the Canadian border made 
frequent forays into the more exposed settlements 
for some years Later, or till the close of the old 
French and Indian war. Settlements, too, had ex- 
tended in every direction, so that this was no longer 
a frontier town, needing block houses and garrisons 
to protect the people. It will be seen that many of 
the descendants of the first settlers while of Lancas- 
ter have disappeared. Only the Fosgates and Lar- 
kins hold the ancestral lands. 

The first settlements made in Berlin were evidently 
on that part taken from Marlboro, which comprised at 
the time of annexation, 1784, three farms, now four, 
namely, the Nathaniel Wheeler and the Aaron Morse 
farms, both of which constituted at that time the 
homestead of Silas Kerley ; the farm of EUsha 
Bassett was David Taylor's and Job Spofford's, and 
the Newsome place was John Brigham's,— but these 
were not the first settlers on these lands. Silas 
Kerley was preceded by Job, Sr., and Henry Kerley, 
Jr.; Taylor and Spoft'ord by Samuel Jones, Sr., and 
Solomon Keyes, and possibly others ; John Brigham 
by Joel Brigham and Joseph Rice. This Joseph Rice 
married Mercey Kerley, daughter of Henry, Jr., and 
was probably the first settler on the place about 
1 7 10. This valley of the Assabet, presenting as 
it undoubtedly did an inviting field for the pio- 
neer, was the first taken up. Comparatively few 
settlements had been made on the Lancaster ter- 
ritory prior to 1738, the time Bolton, including main- 
ly this township, was disannexed from the old mother 
town. We count but two or three places where settle- 
ments may have been made previous to 1723, when 



1 8 HISTORY OF THE 

Benjamin Bailey, Sr., was tax collector for Lancas- 
ter of all then living south of the old Bay road 
through Bolton. Of these we may name in the south 
part the Ephraim Goddard farm, first settled by John 
Houghton, 3d. He sold to Benj. Bailey, Sr., 1718. 
On Bailey's tax list appear the names of Jabez Fair- 
banks (?), who was the father of our Esquire Ephraim 
and lived on the Fairbanks place, and possibly one 
John Moore was on the John M. Kelley place at 
this date, but there is no positive proof of the fact.* 
As no recorded evidence at hand indicates that 
these latter named places were settled before John 
Houghton, 3d, settled on the Ephraim Goddard farm, 
the conclusioji is that aside from the strip taken from 
Marlboro, the Goddard farm and the Fairbanks place 
were the first settled. The dates of the settlement 
of most of the families will be found in the genea- 
logical part of this work under the respective family 
naines. 

ABOUT INDIANS. 

No tribe of Indians that we know of ever had their 
headquarters here. No records extant nor Indian 
relics point to the fact of any permanent lodgment 
within what is now Berlin territory. That Gates 
pond or "Kequasagansett" lake, as it may have been 
called, may have been a favorite resort for fishing, is 
quite probable. The few Indian relics found in the 
vicinity of the pond indicate only temporary sojourn. 
Clamshell pond, just beyond our limits in Clinton, 
abound in these antiquities more abundantly. The 
Larkin brothers in the immediate vicinity have a 



*J()hti Moore owned the land, hut may not have lived there. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 9 

large collection of Indian weapons and tools gathered 
from the shores of this pond. Clamshell, as also 
Gates pond, was nearrly in a direct line between the 
Ockoocangansetts at Marlboro and the Nashaways 
at Washacum, hence the trail leading from one place 
to the other would necessarily pass through this town 
and by these ponds. Any thrilling experiences of 
those who settled on our territory with the Massa- 
chusetts Indians must antedate the time we were dis- 
annexed from the old town of Lancaster, but some 
minor things of slight importance have been handed 
down by tradition, showing that Indians have been 
here, — one of which that Indians took up their abode 
occasionallv for the night in the cavity of a certain 
rock, since called "Sleeping rock," situated by the 
wayside on the Hudson road between the house of 
Capt. Silas Sawyer and that of George Bruce. 
Another tradition is Dea. Josiah vSawyer's famous 
leap and escape from an Indian in ambush, illustra- 
tions of which will hereinafter be inserted. 

Adieu, old town, with all thy glory, 
With all thy contentions and strife; 

We've told but a bit of thy story. 
Of thy early municipal life. 

For years to come, our life must run, 
With Sawyers, Moores and Houghton; 

And before our real life's begun, 
We must be a part of Bolton. 



HISTORY OF IHE 



CHAPTER II. 

HISTORY WHILE OF BOLTON, I 738, I 784 — THE FRENCH 
AND INDIAN WAR. 

The second period of the history and development 
of this territory began in 1738 and continued until 
1 784, during which time we were an integral part of 
Bolton, hence in the narration of events of this period 
we propose only to relate such occurrences as had 
special relation to those living here at the time, leav. 
ing the annals of Bolton to be told by the future his- 
torian of that town. 

Nearly the first action taken by any town after its 
settlement and incorporation is the matter pertaining 
to roads and schools, but these had been attended to 
in a measure by the mother town before we had or- 
ganic life, and will be treated on more particularly 
under the head of those topics. 

The two more important events in which quite a 
number of the citizens on this territory participated 
were the French and Indian war and the War of the 
Revolution. The former of these will be first con- 
sidered. This war commenced in 1755 and was a re- 
newal of the contest for supremacy in North America 
between the French and English colonists. The 
English settlements at this time were confined to 
states bordering on the Atlantic, extending as far 
south as Virginia and the Carolinas, while the French 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 21 

had settlements and a line of forts extending from 
the mouth of the St. Lawrence by the Great Lakes 
and the Mississippi to New Orleans. These fortifi- 
cations were made expressly for the purpose of pre- 
venting the further extension of the English settle- 
ments into the interior of the continent. Had the 
French been successful in this contest, it may reason- 
ably be supposed that this country would have been 
in a much worse condition than Canada is in to-day, 
on account of its colonial condition and lack of en- 
terprise, but thanks to the heroic men of that gener- 
ation, impelled by the highest impulses of patriotism 
and unwavering devotion to their country's future 
welfare, they compelled the French to abandon their 
claim to a large portion of North America over which 
they claimed jurisdiction, on the ground of discovery 
and prior right. Some of our men were in the ex- 
peditions against Ticonderoga and Crown Point, 
and some were also in the attack on Quebec in 1759, 
when the army of General Wolfe vanquished the 
army of General Montcalm on the plains of Abra- 
ham, which battle was decisive, and by the treaty of 
1763 all the French possessions in North America 
were given up to the English. It is but a just 
tribute to the memory of the brave men that a record 
should be made of their heroic deeds, which were 
initiatory steps that led finally to the Revolution and 
the independence and union of these states. Among 
the Bolton soldiers in the French and Indian war 
who lived on Berlin territory, we find the names of 
Nathaniel Hastings, Nathaniel Hastings, Jr., Benja- 
min Houghton, Joseph Priest, John Pollard, Wil- 
liam Pollard, Jabez Beers, John McBride, Peter Lar- 



2 2 HISTORY OF THE 

kin, Edmund Larkin, William Larkin, Mathias Lar- 
kin, Abraham Bruce, Robert Fosgate and Joshua 
Johnson, The close of this war caused universal re- 
joicings in the English colonies; shoutings, bon- 
fires, songs and prayers ascended to heaven every- 
where. It was the death struggle between Protes- 
tantism and popery in America as to territorial pos- 
sessions. 

WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 

As our territory was an integral part of Bolton up 
to the close of the Revolutionary war, we are neces- 




sarily precluded from relating ony oihcial acts of the 
town of Berlin before it had municipal life, but we 
may, and justice demands it, that we put on record 
the individual acts of the fathers in the struggle for 
independence. It is not our purpose to go into special 
details of this war or outline the more important 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 23 

events connected therewith, known to all our citizens, 
but it is our intention and purpose to record, at least, 
the names of all that lived on this territory, whose 
patriotic and personal services contributed to the es- 
tablishment of liberty and independence; also some 
resolutions of general interest prior to the war passed 
by Bolton, which clearly reflect the doings of the 
fathers relative to the causes of the war. The events 
which preceded the breaking out of hostilities were 
.such as to cause every patriot, and especially every 
minute man, to be in readiness at a moment's warn- 
ing. Tradition has it "that Land'ord Jones," whose 
inn was in Berlin Centre, had a gun prepared to give 
warning of any approaching crisis demanding imme- 
diate attention. On the morning of the 19th of 
April, 1775, a courier arrived at Jones' Inn with the 
news that the British troops were marching towards 
Concord. Soon boom went Jones' gun; the sound 
caught the ears of William Babcock, who lived on 
the place now owned by Joseph Turner. Leaving 
his tools in the field, he, with gun and knapsack, has- 
tened to the scene of sanguinary strife, to Concord 
and Lexington. Judge Samuel Baker, Silas Carley, 
and Joseph Rice of Marlboro territory, Samuel 
Spofford, Sr., of Berlin and probably some others 
were soon on the road to the same destination. 

Certain acts recorded in the Bolton records prior 
to the war, indicative of the spirit of the times and 
showing the intense zeal and patriotisin of the peo- 
ple of the town, in which citizens on our territory 
took a conspicuous part, are well worthy of mention. 
The first matter was a protest against the use of tea 
and other British goods. A committee appointed at 



24 HISTORY OF THE 

a previous meeting reported the subject matter for 
action at a town meeting held May 21, 1770. The 
records stand as follows: "Takinof into serious con- 




MINUTE MAX. 



sideration the present unhappy situation of our pub- 
lic affairs at this critical juncture of the times," 
passed the following votes, viz. : 

"That we highly approve of the conduct of the merchants 
of the town of Boston respecting the non-importation of 
British goods, and that we will none of us on any pretence 
whatsoever purchase one single article (except in cases of 
absolute necessity) of any merchant or trader that has im- 
ported goods contrary to the agreement of the merchants of 
the said town of Boston, and that we shall esteem such pur- 
chasers as enemies to this country and not fit to be employed 
in any business of importance, and that we will abstain from 
the use of all foreign teas ourselves, and that we will not suf- 
fer it to be used in our families until the whole of the late 
revenue acts are repealed, and that we will use our utmost en- 
deavors to promote industry, frugality and our own manufac- 
tures amongst ourselves, as judging it the most likely means 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 25; 

to save our country from slavery and to leave a lasting inher- 
itance to our posterity." 

"Voted unanimously." 

The vSelectmen at this time were: Joshua John- 
son, Ephraim Fairbank, vSilas Bailey, Jonas Hough- 
ton and Nathaniel Longley. It will be noted that all 
of these except the last were of Berlin territory. 

List of soldiers in the Revolutionary war who were 
at the time residents of Berlin territory as found in 
the Bolton records and elsewhere: 

The foremost in military service was John Hud- 
son, the grandfather of Hon. Charles Hudson, who, 
together with his eight sons, were in the army at one 
time and another during the war. In continuing the 
list we find the names of Bruce — Benjamin, Daniel, 
Timothy; McBride — James, John, Thomas; Bailey — 
Colonel wSilas, Lieutenant Timothy, Benjamin, Bar- 
nabas; Johnson — Captain Edward, Joshua, Eleazer, 
Nathan; Larkin — Mathias, John, John, Jr., Ephraim, 
Edmond, Peter; Baker — Samuel, wSamuel, Jr., Ed- 
ward; Meriam — Amos, Jonathan; Uriah Moore, Ben- 
jamin Nourse, Nathan Barber, Fortunatus Barnes, 
Samuel Jones, Jr., Nathan Jones, Jabez Fairbanks, 
James Fife, Jr., Elijah Foster, Nathaniel Hastings, 
Silas Howe, Silas Houghton, Hezekiah Gibbs, Jr., 
Abijah Pratt, John Pollard, Thomas Pollard, Joseph 
Priest, Job vSpofford, David Rice, Samuel Rice, Rob- 
ert Fosgate. 

Lieutenant Timothy Bailey, who lived at the time 
on the place now owned by IMerrick Felton, joined 
the army in the year 1777 at Newport, R. I., and 
there died the same year. The monument and statue 
representing "Hope" in the old cemetery, erected to 



2 6 HISTORY OF THE 

his memory by Artemas Barnes, Esq., is a fitting 
memento of liis patriotic service and sacrifice. 

The close of the Revolutionary war substantially 
closed our connection with Bolton. The treaty of 
peace was signed 1783. We were born into munici- 
pal life the year after, and for the next twenty- 
eight years was known as the District of Berlin. 
We had been associated with Lancaster eighty-five 
years and with Bolton forty-six years. These periods 
embraced the early Indian wars, King Philip's and 
other Indian raids, the French and Indian war and 
the War of the Revolution. Henceforward Berlin 
alone must bear the responsibility of all official ac- 
tion, whether in the War of 1 8 1 2 or the War of the 
Rebellion. In the latter the town may well be proud 
for the valor and patriotism exhibited by her citizens. 

TORIES. 

Yery few Tories were here during the Revolution. 
Tradition holds that one Jabez Beers, who lived in 
1767 on the hill south of Merrick Felton's, was a 
Tory, as also were the Duffords of the same hill ; but 
as Beers was in the French and Indian war and prob- 
ably did good service for us in that war, his fault in 
this should be charitably considered. 

There was rapid advancement made in the settle- 
ment of our territory while we were of Bolton. The 
population increased four-fold during this period. 
Nearly all the available land suitable for farms was 
taken up. We had been set off as the South Parish 
in 1778, and had a meeting-house before we were in- 
vested with town riofhts. The heads of those fami- 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 27 

lies who have made the most enduring record in 
town and numerically have exceeded all others, came in 
while we were of Bolton. Prominent among these were 
the Babcocks, Barneses, Bruces, Carters, Johnsons, 
Sawyers and Wheelers. Having attained that period 
of growth and development which gave assurance of 
increased prosperity by a separate organic life, Ber- 
lin joyfully bid adieu to the mother town, whose fos- 
tering care and inaternal solicitude were duly appre- 
ciated and acknowledged, and set up housekeeping 
for herself by assuming the responsibilities and dis- 
charging the duties of one of the numerous munici- 
palities which cpnstitute the Commonwealth of Mas- 
sachusetts. 



28 HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER III. 

BERLIN A DISTRICT, 1 784. 

The history of Berlin embraces a period of brief 
duration when compared with the older towns of the 
Commonwealth. In fact those who saw the dawn of 
its organic life have but just passed away, and yet 
the town can claim a respectable antiquity in com- 
parison with our more flourishing neighbors on our 
eastern and western borders. The town has been 
known as the "vState of Berlin" by those of its imme- 
diate vicinity, and the designaftion is not wholly ir- 
relevant, inasmuch as the people here have mani- 
fested during the entire history of its municipal life 
a stability and an adherence to certain fixed and defi- 
nite principles worthy of special commendation, and 
as states are less liable to geographical changes 
than towns, so Berlin has been less fluctuating and 
changeable internally and externally than most towns 
of greater pretensions. The inhabitants have been 
from first to last very largely of Puritanic stock, and 
it is quite probable that the descendants of these 
will continue the dominant class in the immediate 
future. The casual observer will readily perceive 
that this is a town remarkably free from class dis- 
tinctions. No aristocracy of blood or wealth, no high, 
no low, all as near on a common level as it is seem- 
ingly possible for a people to be, making this little 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



29 



township a model commonwealth, where, if any- 
where, equality, fraternity and true contentment 
abide, — elements essential to the perpetuity of a true 
democracy and a free republic. 

While it is true that few descendants of the first 
settlers still retain the ancestral lands or live in town, 
it is a gratifying- fact that their places have been 
filled by citizens who are a credit to the community 
in which they live, and the town may not really have 
lost in the transitions which have taken place. We 
note but two farms in the family name which have 
continued from the time we were a part of Lancaster, 
the Fosg-ates and the Larkins ; comparatively few of 
the descendants remain of those who settled here 
while we were apart of Bolton, 1738 to 1784. There 
are still in town some of the posterity of those who 
were here before we were a district, namely: Wil- 
liam Babcock, David Southwick, James Brewer, 
James Goddard, vSamuel Jones, Jonathan Wheeler, 
Barnabas Maynard, Josiah Sawyer, Joel Fosg-ate, 
Fortunatus Barnes, Thomas Pollard (the Carter and 
Samuel Spofford families, also the Larkins, came in 
soon after). Of these the Wheeler name outnumbers 
all the others at the present time, with fair prospect 
of continuance. Many emigrated early and found 
homes in other states and became prominent citizens 
in their several localities, and this was a necessity in 
a town of moderate dimensions without mechanical 
industries or other appliances for manual labor. The 
emigration about the year 1800, led by the Jones 
and Tenneys, to Marlboro, N. H., depleted the town 
of its surplus of inhabitants to a considerable extent, 
and quite a number of the descendants of these still 



30 HISTORY OF THE 

remain in that vicinity. Berlin contributed a fair 
proportion of settlers to other states, notably to 
Maine and Vermont. All these removals and changes 
so far as known will appear in the genealogical part 
of this work. 

THE NAME OF THE TOWN. 

There was some controversy at the time of the in- 
corporation of this district as to the name of the new 
town. They decided at first to call it "Norrage," but 
wisely concluded after due deliberation to name it 
Berlin, after the capital of Germany. There is a 
town of this name in nearly every state in the Union. 
It was frequently pronounced Barlin by the older in- 
habitants. The true English pronunciation is Ber- 
lin, accent on the first syllable, and not Berleen, as 
pronounced in Germany. It may be presumed that 
the word pronounced Norrage was spelled Nor- 
wich. 

The initiatory step which led to the formation of 
the district of Berlin was the previous set-off and in. 
corporation of the South Parish of Bolton, 1778. 
The new meeting-house became a centre for the as- 
sembling of the people, and it soon became evident 
and desirable that the town affairs should be attended 
to with like conveniences, as were the matters per- 
taining to the church. The territory embraced with- 
in the parish was of sufficient dimensions to consti- 
tute a snug and compact town. Moved by these con- 
siderations, the people of Bolton gracefully yielded 
to the request of the South Parish for an act of in- 
corporation, and joined in a petition to the General 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



3r 



Court for that purpose. The prayer of the petition- 
ers was granted, as also was the petition of certain 
citizens in Marlboro in the Assabet valley to be an- 
nexed to the new district. The change in the North- 
boro line was made some years later, as was also our 
line on the west by the annexation of the .Larkin 
farm. The number of families in the district at that 
time was about eighty, and among the citizens dis- 
annexed from the mother town was quite a number 
of large experience in public affairs and well qualified 
to transact the ordinary business of a town, and 
amongst these were Ephraim Fairbanks, Esq., Judge- 
Samuel Barker and Joshua Johnson and others, men 
of special mark and influence in the community. 

It is not intended in this work to publish the town 
records, or make very copious extracts from the 
acts and doings of the inhabitants as recorded of 
town meetings, believing that the history would be 
slightly enhanced in value by copying the dry details 
found in the records, and would in no wise compen- 
sate for the extra expense incurred. All matters of 
general interest will be culled from the town records 
and other sources of information and arranged in 
topics, so far as may be found practicable. We in- 
sert the act of incorporation of the district and the 
organization effected in accordance with the act, to- 
gether with the town officers chosen at the first town 
meeting, regarding these as matters of special inter- 
est to all, and containing desirable information in rela- 
tion to our town with its boundaries at the begin- 
ning of its municipal life. It will be noted that the 
only changes in town lines since the act of incorpo- 
ration were the annexation of the farm of Peter I^r- 



32 HISTORY OF THE 

kin on the west, 1 790, and a piece of land from North- 
boro, near Parks' mills, 1 806. A copy of the map of 
the town made by Nathaniel Longley, Esq., and 
Jonathan Meriam, is herein exhibited. 

The first town meeting was held in the meeting- 
house then recently erected and continued to be there 
held till 1826. 

ACT OF INCORPORATION. 
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 

/;/ the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred 

and Eighty-four. 

An act to incorporate the South Parish of the town of Bol- 
ton, together with David Taylor, Silas Carley, Job Spofford 
and John Brigham, inhabitants of Marlborough, with their 
estates, into a district by the name of Berlin. 

Whereas, it appears on representation to this Court that it 
would be productive of public good and to the benefit and 
satisfaction of the inhabitants and proprietors of the South 
Parish in the town of Bolton and the above-named inhab- 
itants of the town of Marlborough, should they be incorpo- 
rated into a distinct district, and that all persons immediately 
concerned are agreeing thereto : 

Section i. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of 
Representatives in General Court assembled, and by author- 
ity of the same, that the lands hereafter described and in- 
cluded within the following boundaries with the inhabitants 
thereof, be and hereby are incorporated into a district by the 
name of Berlin. Beginning at a rock, a corner between the 
towns of Marlborough, Northborough and Bolton, and run- 
ning on Northborough line two miles and one-half and forty- 
four rods to a stake and stones, a corner between Lancaster 
and Bolton ; thence northwardly on Lancaster original line, 
three miles and one-half and sixtv-two rods to a stake and 



TOWN OF BERLIN. ;^;^ 

Stones ; thence east thirty-seven degrees south, three miles 
and forty rods to a heap of stones on Marlborough town line ; 
thence west thirty-one degrees south, on the said Marlborough 
line to a slump and stones, a monument on Bolton line ; 
thence south thirty degrees east, thirty-seven rods to heap of 
stones ; thence east thirty-one degrees south, twenty-one rods 
to a stump and stones ; thence south thirty-two degrees east, 
forty-two rods to a heap of stones ; thence south forty de- 
grees west, forty-six rods to a black oak ; thence west twenty 
degrees north, twenty-eight rods to a heap of stones ; thence 
west forty-one degrees south, sixty-eight rods to a heap of 
stones ; thence east four degrees south, thirty-six rods to a 
red oak by the river ; thence south twenty degrees east, forty- 
nine rods to a heap of stones ; thence twenty-two rods by a 
town way ; thence twenty rods by said way ; thence angling 
six rods ; thence south seventeen degrees west, twenty-four 
rods ; thence south forty-four degrees east, thirteen rods to a 
heap of stones ; thence west twenty-seven degrees south, fifty- 
six rods to a heap of stones ; thence north eight degrees 
west, forty-eight degrees to a heap of stones ; thence west 
forty rods to a heap of stones ; thence west thirty-five de- 
grees south, fifty-nine rods ; thence south thirty-one degrees 
west, sixteen rods to a red oak, a corner of Joseph Howe's 
land ; thence south twenty-eight degrees west, eighteen rods 
to a white oak ; thence south twenty-nine degrees west, thirty 
rods to a heap of stones on the east side of the river ; thence 
thirty rods on the said river to a heap of stones ; thence 
twelve rods by the said river to a swamp oak ; thence south 
forty degrees west, ii6 rods to a pine stump; thence west 
twenty-eight degrees north, seventy-eight rods to a heap of 
stones ; thence west thirty degrees south, twenty-eight rods to 
a stake and stones by Joel Brigham's meadow ; thence north 
thirty degrees west, 146 rods to the bounds fifst mentioned, 
and the said district of Berlin shall be and hereby is invested 
with all the privileges and immunities of any district within the 
Commonwealth. 
4 



34 HISTORY OF THE 

Sec. 2. Provided always and be it further enacted by the 
authority aforesaid, that the said district of Berlin shall be sub- 
jected to pay their proportionable part of all public debts 
owing by the town of Bolton at the time of passing this act, ac- 
cording to the present taxable property of the town of Bolton 
and the district of Berlin, exclusive of that part of the said 
district of Berlin which before the passing of this act was part 
of the town of Marlborough. 

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted by the authority afore- 
said, that the said district of Berlin shall be at their propor- 
tionable part of the expense of supporting the poor belonging 
to the said town of Bolton previous to the passing of this act, 
to be apportioned in like manner as is expressed in the fore- 
going proviso ; and any poor which in time to come may be 
turned on the said town of Bolton or shall be received and 
supported by that town or by the said district, in whichsoever 
such poor had their local situation. 

Sec. 4. And be it further enacted by the authority afore- 
said, that said district ot Berlin shall have good right to claim 
and receive one equal third part of all public stock of arms 
and ammunition belonging before the passing of this act to 
the town of Bolton. 

Sec. 5. And be it further enacted by the authority afore- 
said, that the said district of Berlin may join with the town of 
Bolton in the choice of a representative, which representative 
may be an inhabitant of the town of Bolton or of the district 
of Berlin, and shall be paid by the town of Bolton and the dis- 
trict of Berlin in the same proportions as they pay other pub- 
lic charges, and the Selectmen of Bolton shall annually, at the 
uiual time for issuing a warrant for notifying the voters to as- 
semble for coming to the choice of a representative, issue 
their warrant directed to some constable or constables of the 
district of Berlin, to warn the voters of the said district to as- 
semble with the said town of Bolton for that purpose. 

Sec. 6. And be it further enacted by the authority afore- 
said, that the inhabitants and proprietors of land which, before 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 35 

the enacting hereof, belonged to that part of the district of 
Berlin which was part of the town of Marlborough, shall be 
holden to pay all taxes already assessed on them by the town 
of Marlborough ; anything in this act to the contrary notwith- 
standing. 

Sec. 7. And be it further enacted by the authority afore- 
said, that Samuel Baker, Esq., is hereby authorized to issue 
his warrant directed to some principal inhabitant of the dis- 
trict of Berlin, requiring him to notify the inhabitants of the 
said district qualified by law to vote in town affairs, to assem- 
ble at such time and place as he therein shall direct, to choose 
all such officers as districts within this Commonwealth are di- 
rected and required by law to choose in the month of March 
annually, and the said district of Berlin shall be considered as 
belonging to the county of Worcester, and the easterly boun- 
daries thereof shall be the boundaries between the counties of 
Middlesex and Worcester. 

This act passed March i6, 1784. 

The first action taken after the act of incorporation was the 
issuing by Samuel Baker, Esq., his warrant for a meeting of 
the legal voters for the purpose of choosing district officers, as 
follows : 

Worcester, ss. 

To Fortunatus Barnes, a principal inhabitant of the district 
of Berlin. Greeting. 

In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you 
are hereby authorized and required to warn the freeholdt rs 
and other inhabitants of the said district, qualified by law to 
vote in town or district affairs, to meet at the meeting-house 
in the said Berlin, on Monday, the twelfth day of April in- 
stant, at one of the clock in the afternoon of the said day. 

Firstly. To choose a moderator to preside at said meeting. 

Secondly. To choose all such officers as districts are by law 
empowered to choose in the month of March annually, and have 



36 HISTORY OF THE 

this warrant with a certificate of your doings thereon at the 
time and place of said meeting. 

Given under my hand and seal this fifth day of April, in the 
year of our Lord, 1784, and in the eighth of the independ- 
ence of the United States of America. Samuel Baker, 

A Justice of the Peace, specially authorized by the law in- 
corporating the aforesaid district to issue his warrant for the 
purpose aforesaid. 

Worcester, ss. 

April ye 12th, 1784. 

These may certify that in obedience to the within warrant, I 
have notified and warned the inhabitants of the district of Ber- 
lin to meet at time and place and for the ends and purposes 
within mentioned, by order of the Honorable Samuel Baker, 
Esq. Fortunatus Barnes. 

In observance of the foregoing warrant, dated April 5th, 
1784, the inhabitants of the district of Berlin met at the meet- 
ing-house in said district on the twelfth day of April, 1784, 
and proceeded as follows, viz. : 

First. Chose the Hon. Samuel Baker, Esq., moderator for 
this meeting on the second article ; chose Jonathan Meriam 
district clerk. Sworn. 

Selectmen : Lieutenant James Goddard, Mr. John Temple, 
Jonathan Meriam, Mr. William Sawyer, Captain Barnabas 
Maynard. 

Assessors: Mr. David Taylor, Jonathan Meriam and Lieu- 
tenant Henry Powers ; all sworn. 

Constable : Joel Fosgate ; sworn. 

Treasurer: Lieutenant Timothy Jones ; sworn. 

Then voted to choose the other officers by hand vote ex- 
cept the wardens. 

At adjourned meeting April 27 chose : 

Wardens : Samuel Jones and Fortunatus Barnes. 

Fence Vietver : Jesse Jewett. 

Fire JVarden : John Bruce. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



37 



Highway Surveyors: Mr. Nathan Jones, Ephraim Fair- 
banks, Levi Meriam, Captain Barnabas Maynard ; all sworn. 

Tithingmen : Messrs. Robert Fife and Ebenezer Woorster ; 
both sworn. 

Hog Reavers : Messrs. Abel Baker, Jonathan Baker ; both 
sworn. 

Culler of Hoops and Staves : Mr. Thomas McBride ; sworn. 

Surveyor of Boards and Shingles : Mr. Jonathan Jones; 
sworn. 

Sealer of Leather : Mr. John Temple ; sworn. 

Attest : Samuel Baker, Moderator. 

Then voted to adjourn this meeting unto Thursday, the 

twenty-ninth day of April instant, to meet at four o'clock in 

the aiternoon, and said meeting is adjourned accordingly. 

Attest : Samuel Baker, Moderator. 

April 29, 1784, Four O'clock p. m. 

The inhabitants of Berlin met according to adjournment at 
the meeting-house in said Berlin and proceeded as follows, 
viz., on the second article again taken up : 

Chose Wardens : Messrs. Samuel Jones, Fortunatus Barnes ; 
sworn. 

Fence Viewer: Mr. Jesse Jewett. 

Fi?'e Ward: Mr. John Bruce. 

Then voted to choose another constable for this district. 

Then chose Mr. Thomas Pollard for said constable. 

Then voted to adjourn this meeting to the 27th day of May 
next to meet at this place at five o'clock in the afternoon, and 
said meeting is adjourned accordingly. 

Attest : Samuel Baker, Moderator. 

Berlin, May 27th, 1784, Five O'clock p. m. 

The inhabitants of the district of Berlin met (according to 
adjournment) at the meeting-house in said Berlin and pro- 
ceeded as follows, viz., the former moderator not being present : 

First chose Mr. David Taylor moderator pro temporary. 

Then the question was put whether the district will accept 



38 HISTORY OF THE 

at this place Mr. Moses Goddard as a constable in the room of 
Mr. Thomas Pollard, and it passed in the negative. 

Secondly, the question was put whether the district will ac- 
cept Mr. Nathan Jones as a constable in the room of Mr. 
Thomas Pollard, and it passed in the affirmative, the said 
Nathan Jones engaging that he will take no advantage by way 
of excusing himself from serving constable for himself when it 
shall be his turn. 

Then voted to adjourn this meeting until the first Monday 
in June next to meet at this place at five o'clock in the after- 
noon, and said meeting is adjourned accordingly. 

Attest : David Taylor, Moderator. 

Berlin, June 7 th, 1784. The inhabitants of said Berlin met 
according to adjournment at the meeting-house in said dis- 
trict and voted to dissolve this meeting, and said meeting is 
dissolved accordingly. 

Attest : David Taylor, Moderator. 

Thus ends the first town meeting held on the 1 2th 
of April, 1784, and continued by adjournment to 
June 7th, 1784, called under a warrant issued by 
Hon. vSamuel Baker, Esq., for the purpose of choosing 
officers for the year ensuing. The Selectmen chosen 
at the aforesaid meeting on the 1 2th of April, issue 
their warrant on the 1 4th of that month for a meet- 
ing April 29th, for the purpose of making grants of 
money for various purposes and for the transaction 
of other district business. 

The meeting held April 29th, 1784, was mainly 
for the purpose of raising money to defray town 
charges. The appropriations were as follows: 

Granted ;^45 (about $150) for repair of highways, 
to be worked out at 3s. a day for a man, is. 6d. for 
a yoke of oxen and 9d. for a cart, and eight hours 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 39 

a day's work. At a subsequent meeting granted 
^^66, 13s. 4d. for Rev. Reuben Puffer's salary (equal 
to $222.22), and £s, HS. for twenty cords of wood 
(about $19). Granted for schooling i^20, and for the 
support of the poor ^^24, and to glaze the meeting- 
house ;^8. 

The currency at this time was in pounds, shillings 
and pence. A pound was $3-33^, a shilling i6| 
cents, nine pence 1 2I cents, and 4I pence 6^ cents. 
Silver coins representing all these were in circula- 
tion, except the pound. The above grants were evi- 
dently made in what was called the new emission 
money, not the old Continental, which had become 
nearly w-orthless, as the following extract from the 
records show, May 27, 1784: 

"Voted, to abate Timothy Bruce's rates t.o Jotham 
Maynard, Jr., a former collector for the South 
Parish in Bolton, which sums are as follows, viz.: 
Of old Continental money, £2^, 9s. Of new emis- 
sion money, £0, 9s. 3d.," or a reduction of about 
fifty to one. 

OLD CONTINENTAL MONEY. 

In continuing the history of the town, we propose 
to cull from the records such matters as appear to 
be of more general interest, under the head of 
"Gleanings from the Annals," and arrange in topics 
the more important events, so far as practicable. 
The town officers will be classified in separate lists 
for convenience, embracing the entire period of its 
organic life. We see that the town was well on its 
course at the close of its first year. The machine 
was in good working order, competent men were at 



40 



HISTORY OF THE 



the head, and care had been taken to provide for the 
more pressing wants of the community; for high- 
ways, for schools, for the minister and for the poor, 
ample provision was made. No appropriations seem 
to have been made for the services of town officers; 
probably these were rendered gratis, the honor hav- 
ing been considered a sufficient remuneration. It is 
worthy of note that six town meetings were held 
during the year 1784. From this it luay reasonably 




OLD CONIINKNTAI. MONEY. 



be inferred that the fathers hugely enjoyed their 
newly acquired rights. Having given a brief synopsis 
of the doings in 1784, we now proceed to relate 
some of the more important occurrences in 1785. 
The first of these matters attended to was the schools. 
The boundaries of the town required new adjust- 
ments, hence at the March meeting of this year they 
chose a committee to divide the town into school 
squadrons. At the April meeting the report of the 
committee was accepted, and by that report the town 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 4 1 

was divided into four school squadrons, viz., north, 
south, east and west. The following list contains 
the names of the heads of families in Berlin at that 
time, together with the places of residence : 

NORTH DISTRICT. 

Samuel Baker (stone house), William Bryant 
(southwest of Richard Wheeler's), Sam'l Baker, Jr. {'^), 
Enoch Southwick (John Collins), Edward Baker (?), 
Jotham Maynard, Jr., (old site north of Frank Bab- 
cock's), Dr. Hezekiah Gibbs and Hezekiah, Jr., (F. A. 
Woodward), Amos Meriam (Richard Wheeler's), Pe- 
ter Grossman (John M. Kelley ), David Southwick and 
Stephen Sweat (P. A. Randall), Ephraim Fairbanks 
(on corner), Isaac Moore (Edward L. Wheeler), Amos 
Allen (northwest of Thomas Berry), James Brewer 
(northeast of Gaptain Samuel Spofford), John Tem- 
ple (north of James Brewer's), Moses Goddard (Ful- 
ler house), Abijah Pratt and Jonathan Green (Daniel 
Wheeler place) ; one Samuel Gamwell lived south- 
east of Gaptain Spofford's, hence "Gamble hill;" 
Andrew MacElwain lived previously on the James 
Brewer place. 

SOUTH DISTRICT. 

Reuben Puffer (W. A. Houghton), Samuel Jones, 
Jr. (Willis Rice), Timothy Jones (Ghristopher 
Wheeler), Asa Witt (old shop on same), Jonathan 
Jones (south of Addison Keyes), Stephen Bailey 
(Ira Jones), Benjamin Bailey (M. M. Goddard), Ben- 
jamin Nourse (E. G. Shattuck), Nathan Johnson (C. 
S. Hastings), Eleazer Johnson (Willard Wheeler), 
Joshua Johnson (A. B. Allen), Barnabas Maynard 



42 HISTORY OF THE 

(F. C. Lasselle), Joseph Priest (Rufus Wheeler's old 
place), John and William Brigham (west of New- 
some's in George W. Tyler's land), David Taylor and 
Job Spofford (Elisha Bassett), Silas Carley (Aaron 
Morse), Ebenezer Woorster (Elias L. Wheeler), Jona- 
than Wheeler and Jonathan, Jr., (C. A. Otterson), 
Holman Priest (J. J. Randall). 

EAST DISTRICT. 

Samuel Jones (tavern), Asa Bride (the old Bride 
place), Stephen Wheeler (Mrs. George Farwell), 
Solomon Jones (south of Reed Tyler), Ebenezer Bai- 
ley (southwest side of Sawyer hill), Aholiab Sawyer 
(lived near last), John Bruce (George H, Bruce), Ste- 
phen Coolidge (F. H. Grossman), Josiah Gaskill (E. 

F. Green), Benjamin Baker (Ira Brown), Joseph 
Howe (on north edge of pond), Joel Fosgate (George 
W. and Reuben), Daniel Goodnow (near the pond), 
Thomas Bride (L. W. Brewer), Josiah Sawyer (W. 

G. Bruce), William Sawyer (Reed Tyler), Nathan 
Jones (south end of vSawyer hill), Elijah Foster. 

WEST DISTRICT. 

Silas Bailey and Silas, Jr. (Edward Flagg), Barna- 
bas Bailey (W. B. Morse), Solomon Bowker (on 
Joseph Priest premises), Silas Wood and Martha 
Bailey, widow of Lieutenant Timothy (Merrick Eel- 
ton), James Goddard (Henry J. Sawyer), Phineas 
Howe (Silas Greenlief), Fortunatus Barnes (W. A. 
Brown), John Hudson (Ball hill), Jesse Jewett (Clar- 
ence Spofford), William Babcock (Joseph Turner), 
Nathan Barker (opposite Levi Babcock's), Nathan 
Eager (one-half Barber house), Henry Powers (C. B. 



TOWN OF KKRI.IN. 43 

Rathburn), Levi Meriam (hotel), Robert Fife (Jonas 
Carter), Obadiah Wheeler (^Silas Mills), Nathaniel 
Hastings (next to Clinton line), Thomas Pollard 
(John Moran), Silas Houghton (lived later opposite 
George W. Howard's), Cyrus Houghton (late Mer- 
rick Sargent). The Larkins were yet of Lancaster. 

April 4, 17S5. "Voted, that each squadron have Uberty to 
provide a suitable place for their school as they think best for 
the present." 

November 4. "Voted to sell the old school-houses. One 
of these stood in the corner near Edward Flagg's." 

THE JURY BOXES ACCEPTED MAY 26, 1 785. 

The jury boxes as accepted stand as follows, viz. : 
The jury box for the Court of Common Pleas — 
Amos Allen, Solomon Bowker, Silas Bailey, Jr., Ste- 
phen Bailey, Robert Fife, Joel Fosgate, Nathaniel 
Hastings, Cyrus Houghton, Samuel Jones, Samuel 
Jones, Jr., Nathan Jones, x\mos Johnson, Jesse Jew- 
ett, Jonathan Meriam, Levi Meriam, Isaac Moore, 
Jotham Maynard, Jr., Barnabas Maynard, Henry 
Powers, Thomas Pollard, Josiah Sawyer* Jr., Job 
Spofford, John Temple, Ebenezer Worcester. The 
box for the Superior Court— Eleazer Johnson, James 
Goddard, David Taylor, Phineas How, Abijah Pratt, 
Fortunatus Barnes, Timothy Jones, Joshua Johnson. 

TOWN POUND AND STOCKS, 1 78 5. 

At a meeting held May 26, 1785, voted "that this 
district will build themselves a pound;" also voted 
"that this district will provide themselves stocks." 
"Voted, that said pound be built of stone." Novem- 



44 



HISTORY OF THE 



ber 4, 1785, "voted to allow Samuel Jones twelve 
shillings for land the pound is built upon and con- 
veniency to pass in and out of the gate." This pound 
was built near where Dr. Gotts' barn now stands, 




and the stocks were erected near the meeting-house. 
This pound served the wants of the town for fort}'- 
eight years. In 1833 the new pound (the one now 
in use) was built on land of Jonathan D. Meriam, 




h 

w 
o 

h 

UJ 
H 



TOWN OF HRRI.IN. 45 

near "Pulpit rocks" (the steep rocky eminence just 
north). The stocks and probably a whipping post, 
as they usually went together, were demolished long 
before the new pound was made. Cost of pound, 
stocks and land, £g, 9s. 3d. 

November 4, 1785. Voted to fence the front of the burial 
field with stone wall four feet high, and "middling handsome." 
Col. Silas Bailey, Mr. Eleazer Johnson and Levi Meriam, com- 
mittee. 

BERLIN TERRITORIALLY. 

The town of Berlin is situated on the eastern bor- 
der of Worcester county, adjoining Middlesex county 
on the east, and is bounded north by Bolton, east 
by Hudson and Marlboro, south by Northboro, and 
west by Boylston and Clinton. It is thirty-three 
miles west of Boston and fourteen northeast from 
Worcester. Its extreme length, from north to south, 
is about three and three-quarters miles, and its 
breadth, from east to west, four and a half miles, con- 
taining about thirteen square miles. The town is 
mainly on the southern slope of the Wataquodock 
hills in Bolton, spurs of which, extending south into 
Berlin, are known as Barnes' hill in the west, Baker 
and Wheeler in the north, and vSawyer hill in the 
east. These are of moderate elevation and suitable 
for cultivation on their summits. In the central and 
southern parts, lying between these hills, is a broad 
plain extending southward into Northboro, rendering 
this portion of the town well sheltered and protected 
from storms and blizzards. 

The main water course in town is the Assabet 
river on its eastern border, and into this nearlv the 



46 HISTORY OF THE 

entire drainage of the town is conveyed by North 
brook, one branch of which rises in the northwest 
part, near Bolton depot, and another in Rack meadow, 
with a branch from Clamshell pond in Clinton. They 
unite at West Berlin and form a stream of sufficient 
volume to operate two mills in the west and one in 
the south part of the town. Such is the configura-* 
tion of the land that the water within about a mile 
of the Nashua river is conveyed easterly into the 
Assabet and thence into the Concord river, hence 
the surface Inclines in a gentle descent to the south 
and east. 

There is only one natural pond within the limits 
of the town, known as Gates pond. This, or a place 
near by, was called by the Indians Kequasagansett, 
and lies at the eastern base of Sawyer hill. This 
is now the water supply for the -town of Hudson. 
This beautiful lake of pure, cold, crystal water, fed by 
springs, is the favorite resort of pleasure seekers and 
picnic parties in the summer season ; the eastern 
shore is studded with cottages and houses for enter- 
tainment. On the western acclivity is Lake Side, 
so named by Madam Rudersdoff, the famous singer, 
who lived there a few years ago. 

The highest elevation is Mt. Pisgah, a continua- 
tion of Wataquodock range, in the southwest part 
of the town. Fine and extensive views are here 
obtained of Wachusett mountain and the valley of 
the Nashua on the west, and of the Marlboro hills 
and valley of the Assabet on the east. Near the 
centre of the town is a rocky eminence of consider, 
able height^ called Powder-house hill. From this 
point charming views of the central plain, reach ing 




> 

w 
h 

< 



h 
w 
w 
a: 




BALANCE ROCK, WHEELER HILL. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 47 

to Nortliboro and beyond, may be obtained. This 
huge pile of rocks, from its ruggedness and elevation, 
serves the double purpose of both protecting the cen- 
tre village from the northern blasts and relieving the 
eye from the sameness of view of the adjoining plain. 
There are three villages in town: the Centre, in- 
cluding Carterville also; West and South Berlin, in 
each of which there are a post office and store. The 
town is distinctively agricultural, and the great 
variety of soils within its borders renders the town well 
adapted to horticulture and mixed farming. The 
hills and uplands are rocky and have a deep black soil 
suitable for grazing. The central plain and valleys 
are comparatively free from stones ; the soil, a sandy 
loam, adapted to the growth of cereals. The geologi- 
cal survey of the town was made by the state. The 
basic rock is undoubtedly gneiss. Granite of fair 
quality for posts and underpinning is found on 
Barnes' hill, and rocks, more laminated and border- 
ing on the slate formation, are found near the Centre. 
In the building of the Central Massachusetts Rail- 
road, a graphite quarry was opened in the west part, 
near Snake hill, but of inferior quality. On the sur- 
rounding hills are numerous boulders, and on 
Powder-house hill there is one apparently of the lime- 
stone formation. The nearest of the same kind 
known is at the Bolton lime-kilns, four miles distant. 
Pulpit rock, a huge pile, may be seen near the town 
pound. The well-known boulder on the ascent to 
Wheeler hill is shown herein. The basic rock is 
mostly gneiss — mica schist, which abound in the 
northwest part, many rocks which contain oride of 
iron. 



48 HISTORY OF THE 

SLEEPING ROCK, 

The rock south of the Hudson road, between Capt. 
Silas Sawyer's and George H. Bruce's, has been 
known as Sleeping rock from the early times, 
so named in some of the* first deeds. The origin 
of the name appears to have been from the fact 
that Indians occasionally used it as a shelter and 
to sleep under, — two were known so to do, says tra- 
dition. A shelving part has probably fallen over 
since that time. This rock was a corner of the 
original Gates farm. The place was called by the 
Indians the same as the name of the pond, Kequasa- 
gansett. 

FOREST TREES AND ABANDONED FARMS. 

The forest trees are substantially of the same 
varieties found in the adjoining towns, the prevailing 
types being oak, chestnut, pine and walnut ; the hem- 
lock and rock maple are rarely found, and the beech is 
still more scarce, as nearly all of the first growth dis- 
appeared years ago. The acreage given up to the 
growth of wood has increased within the last few 
years, but this is the result of leaving old pastures to 
grow up rather than from the abandonment of farms. 
Abandoned farms are few in number in comparison 
with most towns. Three or four, in out-of-the-way 
places, are all that may be counted. 

PREPARING FOR A WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. 

The town voted August 18, 1794: 

"That soldiers that shall engage and be ready at a minute's 
warning, agreeable to orders of the commander-in-chief of this 




Sleeping Kock. 




De.\( ON losiAH Sa\vver"s Fa.mols Leai^. 



TOWN OF BB.RLIN. 49 

Commonwealth, shall have their wages made up by this dis- 
trict to forty shillings per month for all the time they shall be 
actually engaged in the service by virtue of said orders, and 
shall have one dollar to each man, bounty, before they muster by 
themselves, and another before they march to the place of 
rendezvous, in case they should be called for." 

As it happened there was no war with Great 
Britain. The town saved the pay and bounty. This 
is the first mention of the use of the dollar in our 
records. 

TO RATIFY THE TREATY WITH GREAT BRITAIN, 1 796. 

Soon after the French Revolution, 1792, our com- 
mercial and other interests suffered severely by reason 
of the British orders in council, on account of which 
American vessels trading with France or its depend- 
encies were seized by British cruisers and our 
seamen impressed into the British service, and 
also because of other unjustifiable measures the 
government of Great Britain pursued towards 
this country. Washington was president at the 
time and the matters in controversy were settled 
by treaty, and consequently the threatened war 
was averted. The part taken by Berlin was to 
choose a committee to prepare a memorial to 
representatives of the Congress, namely: "That 
it is the wish of this district that the treaty with 
Great Britain (concluded Nov. 19, 1794) may be car- 
ried into honorable effect." Chose Dr. Puffer chair- 
man of committee. 

Also voted, "that the said memorial when drafted 
be forwarded to the Hon. Dwight Foster, Esq., with 
all convenient speed. We find no record of this 
5 



50 HISTORY OF THE 

memorial, which probably was drawn up by Dr. 
Puffer, and was highly commendatory of the course 
pursued by Washington in the settlement of the' 
vexatious matters in controversy. The treaty was 
finally ratified by the Senate and the course of the 
administration sustained. The trouble grew out of 
the war between Great Britain and France. Public 
opinion was divided on the course to be pursued. 
One party more favorable to France was in favor of 
a declaration of war against Great Britain, the other 
party, at the head of which was Washington, was de- 
sirous of settling the matters in controversy without 
recourse to arms. This was about the beginning of 
drawing party lines in this country. Later one party 
assumed the name of Republican under the head of 
Thomas Jefferson, the other of Federal under Alex- 
ander Hamilton. 

shays' rebellion. 

The district had barely completed its organization 
and the affairs of the town were progressing smooth- 
ly, when an element of discord confronted the peo- 
ple. It was a test of loyalty to the government. 
There was a diversity of opinion here, as elsewhere, 
as to the best method of redressing political griev- 
ances, whether by the shotgun or by the ballot. The 
result of the insurrection of 1786 settled the ques- 
tion. 

A brief statement of the main facts pertaining to 
what is known in history as Shays' Rebellion, would 
seem to be a necessary preface to the presention of 
the part taken by Berlin in that unhappy contro- 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 5 1 

versy. The country was in a deplorable, unsettled 
condition for several years after the Revolutionary 
war. The resources of the nation had been heavily 
drawn on to carry on the war. The currency had be- 
come depreciated ; Continental scrip was nearly worth- 
less; it took a barrel of it to pay for a bushel of 
com. The people as a consequence felt compara- 
tively poor, but the debts they had necessarily con- 
tracted were not lessened, and payment was vigor- 
ously demanded and enforced by legal process through 
the courts of law. The sheriffs were busy with their 
writs and executions issued by the courts without 
clemency or consideration, as many of the insurgents 
in this contest believed ; the state taxes were particu- 
larly heavy and burdensome, and the General Court 
was complained of for not relieving the grievances of 
the people ; in fact it was a time of general depression 
and unrest. Under these circumstances the more 
bold and audacious of the malcontents conceived the 
idea of forcibly resisting the authorities and abolish 
(as seemed to them) the obnoxious courts, which 
were regarded as mills, whose fees had grown to be 
excessive and exorbitant. The rebellious element 
was confined mostly to towns in the interior of the 
state, and various conventions had been held at dif- 
ferent times and places for the redress of grievances 
from the close of the Revolutionary war to 1 786. It 
appears by record that our town was somewhat 
mixed up in this affair, as Berlin sent William 
Sawyer as a delegate to the convention at Paxton 
held on the last Tuesday of September, 1786, at 
the house of Mr. Snow, innholder, and also at the 
Worcester convention, for which service the town 



52 HISTORY OF THE 

paid him £i, los. 6d. for seven days' time and ex- 
penses. It may reasonably be inferred that some 
Berlin men were in the insurgent ranks. No record- 
ed report of Mr. Sawyer is found, but a letter from 
the town of Boston was read, which had a quieting 
effect. The vote of the town for governor was changed 
this year from James Bowdoin to John Hancock. 
The latter was supposed to be more in sympathy with 
the rebellious elements. The result of the agitation 
in convention and otherwise was the concentration 
of the bellicose elements into a mobocratic army, 
headed by one Daniel vShays, who had been a captain 
in the Revolutionary service. Our space does not 
admit for an extended account of this rebellion, 
which lasted only a few months in the latter part of 
1786 and the winter of 1787. The insurgents to the 
number of nearly 1,000 met at Worcester Dec. 5, 
1786, and prevented for the time being the sitting 
of the court. The same manoeuvre was repeated at 
Springfield the 26th of the same month. The rebels 
finally resolved to seize the arsenal at Springfield 
and help themselves to arms and ammunition. The 
attack was made on the 25th of January, 1787, and 
proved to be a Waterloo defeat to the insurgents, 
who retreated northerly and were followed by General 
Lincoln with the government troops, and the last of 
them were finally scattered and dispersed ^ in the 
vicinity of Pelham and Petersham. In closing, it is 
but just to say that Judge Baker was a tower of 
strength for the maintenance of law and order, 
and by his influence the town was kept from 
more serious entanglement in this unhappy con- 
flict. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 53 

DIVISION OF THE SCHOOL MONEY WANTED BY THE 
FRIENDS. 

March 9, 1789. "The question was put whether the dis- 
trict will allow Obadiah Wheeler, Jonathan Wheeler, Stephen 
Wheeler, Enoch Southwick, David Southwick, Thomas Holder 
and Thomas Watson to have their school money and lay it out 
for schooling amongst themselves ; it passed in the negative.' 

Voted, that if Jonathan Wheeler, Jr., takes the 
constable's oath he shall be exempted from collecting- 
ministerial taxes. Jonathan was probably conscien- 
tiously scrupulous about either paying or collecting- 
such taxes. 

ADMIT PETER LARKIN. 

February 3, 1790. "Voted that Peter Larkin with his fam- 
ily and interests be received to and incorporated with the dis- 
trict of Berlin, agreeable to his request and the vote of the 
town of Lancaster." 

An act to set off Peter Larkin with his family and 
estate from the town of Lancaster to the district of 
Berlin : 

Section i. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- 
resentatives, in General Court assembled and by authority of 
the same, that Peter Larkin of Lancaster, in the county of 
Worcester, with his family and estate be and hereby are set off 
from the said town of Lancaster and annexed to the district of 
Berlin, in said county of Worcester, and shall hereafter be 
considered as part of the same, there to do duty and receive 
privileges as the other inhabitants of the said district. 

Sec. 2. Provided, nevertheless, that said Peter Larkin shall 
be held to pay his proportion of all such state and county 
taxes as shall be laid by the Legislature upon said town of Lan- 



54 HISTORY OF THE 

caster, before the settlement of another valuation, the passing 
of this act notwithstanding. 

This act passed February 8, 1791. 

1795- 
The district of Berlin was surveyed by Jonathan 
Meriam and Nathaniel Longley and a plan sent to 
the state, assisted by Job Spofford, Ephraim Howe, 
Samuel Baker, Levi Meriam, Captain Samuel Jones 
and Peter Larkin. 

GLEANINGS FROM THE ANNALS, 1 797- 

The militia of the district organized this year, 
granted ^^40 to defray necessary charges, including 
cost of ammunition for the soldiers. 

April 3, 1797, voted that the Selectmen provide a 
sufhcient quantity of powder, balls and flints, legally, 
to equip the militia of this district. 

1798. 

April 2d the question of dividing Worcester coun- 
ty was submitted to the voters, and the result was 
thirty-four voted against the measure and none for it. 

1799. 

April I . Granted ;^8o to be worked out on new 
county road, beginning at Lancaster line and work 
towards the meeting-house. 

Voted, that the tax on dogs be for the support of 
the poor. 

1800. 

April 7. Voted to petition the Court of Sessions 
for an allowance of $500 to enable said district to 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 55 

make and pay for said road. Amos Johnson and 
James R. Parks, the committee, reported September 
1 5 th and the town voted not to accept their report, 
which probably was adverse to the prayer of the 
petitioners. December 29th, "chose Jonathan Mer- 
iam, Levi Meriam and John Larkin a committee 
to signify to the representatives of Bolton and 
Berlin the wish of this district that the proposed 
turnpike road, especially from Sudbury causeway to 
Waltham, should be opposed with all his influence." 
The reason for this action does not appear. 

1802. 
Town grants first made in Federal money. 
Repaired the house bought for accommodation of 
the poor (see article, "House for the Poor"). 

1803. 
April 4. Voted, "that the Friends or Quakers 
shall have their proportion of school money, pro- 
vided they lay out said money in this district under 
the discretion of the School Committee." 

1804. 
Granted $30 for a singing school. 
Voted, that the soldiers' uniform hats be paid for 
by this district and in care of the Selectmen. 

HEARSE AND HEARSE HOUSE, 1805. 

March 4. Granted $100 to provide a hearse and 
build a hearse house. Chose Levi Meriam, Solomon 
Howe and Henry Powers, committee. 

1806. 
A part of Northboro annexed to Berlin. 



56 HISTORY OF THE 

January 6. Voted, to instruct our representative 
to use liis influence in favor of the petition of James 
R. Parks for the setting" of all his land in Berlin. 
The prayer of the petitioner was granted, as appears 
by an act of the General Court passed Februar}^ 15 th, 
1806. Before this date the mills in the south part 
and most of the pond were in Northboro. 

CHANGE OF THE NORTHBORO LINE, 1806. 

"An act to set off part of the town of Northborough and annex 
the same to the district of Berlin, and to set off part of said dis- 
trict of Berlin and annex the same to the said town of North- 
borough. 

"Section i. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- 
resentatives in General Court assembled and by the authority 
of the same, that all the lands and buildings thereon, lying 
northerly of the line herein described, belonging to the town 
of Northborough, in the county of Worcester, be and hereby are 
set off from the said town of Northborough and annexed to the dis- 
trict of Berlin, in same county of Worcester, and that all the 
land lying southerly of said line belonging to the said dis- 
trict of Berlin, be and hereby is set off from said district of 
Berlin and annexed to the said town of Northborough, viz. : Said 
line beginning at a stake and stones on the line between Marl- 
borough and said Berlin, twenty-four rods from the northwest 
corner of said Marlborough ; thence north thirty- three degrees, 
west 226 rods to a stake and stones on the line between said 
Northborough and said district of Berlin. Passed February 15, 
1806." 

Sec. 2. About taxation omitted. 

1807. 

January 19. Voted $500 to repair Rev. Mr. Puf- 
fer's house. Assessed on those liable to the minis- 
terial tax. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 5 7 

WELL ON THE COMMON. 

September 2. "Voted, that Mr. vSolomon Howe 
have liberty to dig a well on the Common." This is 
the well in front of the Town House. 

1808. 

April 25. Dr. Puffer a missionary. 

"Agreed with Dr. Puffer that his salary should be 
$222.22, to begin March i, 1809, and continue at that 
rate while gone on a missionary service." This serv- 
ice was in the state of Maine. 

1809. 
February 6. Voted, to petition the Legislature to 
interpose for relief, etc. (See article, "War of 18 12.") 
Voted $30 for a singing school. 

1810. 
March 5. Chose Daniel Brigham, Stephen Bailey 
and Dexter Fay to attend to the inoculation of cow 
pox. October 8, voted, to procure fifty-four knap- 
sacks for the soldiers belonging to this district. 

1811. 
June 3. Voted, to petition to the General Court 
to be incorporated into a town. Chose Stephen Bai- 
ley, James R. Parks and Solomon Howe to be the 
agents. Voted, to instruct said agents to request 
Hon. Silas Holman, Esq., and our representatives to 
use their influence to forward said incorporation. 



58 HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER IV. 

ACT OF INCORPORATION. 

THE DISTRICT MADE A TOWN, l8l2. 

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 

In the Year of our Lord One Thousand, Eight Hundred and 
Twelve. 

An act to incorporate the district of Berhn into the town of 
BerUn. 

Section i . Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- 
resentatives in General Court assembled^ and by the authority 
of the same : That the district of Berhn, in the county of 
Worcester, be and hereby is incorporated into a town by the 
name of Berhn, subject to the hke duties and requirements, 
vested with all the powers, privileges and immunities which 
other towns do or may enjoy, agreeably to the Constitution and 
laws of the Commonwealth. 

Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, that either of the justices of 
the peace for the county of Worcester be and he is hereby au- 
thorized to issue a warrant directed to a freeholder, an inhabi- 
tant of the said town of Berlin, requiring him to notify and 
warn the freeholders and other legal voters thereof, to meet at 
such convenient time and place as shall be appointed in said 
warrant, for the choice of such officers as towns are by law re- 
quired to choose and appoint at their annual town meetings, 
February 6th. 

Recorded March 11, 1812. 

Dexter Fay, Town Clerk. 







».O.f \Li> / l:.U,„i.v\ 

■/•• rCARTfciR^l 



^ o./Vi..-.. 




MAP OF BERLIN, 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 59 

Agreeably to the act of incorporation, Levi Mer- 
iam, Esq., issued his warrant to Ephraim Babcock to 
notify and warn the inhabitants qualified to vote, to 
meet at their meeting-house on the second day of 
March at one o'clock p. m,, for the choice of town 
officers. 

didn't want the town larger. 

An article in a warrant issued March 23d, 18 12, 
was: 

"To see if the town will receive a certain number of the in- 
habitants of the town of Lancaster, that is, following Boylston 
line from Mr. John Larkin's to Lancaster river, running with 
the river fourteen rods below the bridge by Mr. John Goss', 
then to Bolton line with the inhabitants thereon, and act any- 
thing relative thereto that may be thought proper." 

The vote taken on the above was : 

"That it is not expedient to have said inhabitants with lands 
annexed to the town of Berlin." 

The reason for rejecting this application does not 
appear, but it may be because it would change the 
centre to some point more westwardly. 

First representative to the General Court was Cap- 
tain Henr}' Powers, chosen May 4th, 18 12, and was 
chosen seven other times until 1830. 

WAR OF 18 1 2. 
The general sentiment of the town in relation to 
the prosecution of the war against Great Britain, 
18 1 2-1 5, was evidently in unison with that of most 
of the towns in this Commonwealth. While they 
opposed the policy of the administration, they were 
ready to support the government by personal service 
whenever called upon to defend the state from foreign 



6o HISTORY OF THE 

invasion. The very brief records found of the doings 
of the town pertaining to this war indicate a degree 
of lukewarmship quite in contrast with the patriotic 
zeal manifested in the War of the Rebellion. During 
this period the town voted nearly unanimously for 
Governor Caleb Strong, although he resolutely re- 
fused to comply with the orders of the secretary of 
war to furnish 10,000 men as the quota of Massa- 
chusetts, but instead proposed to organize the militia 
and have them ready on call for the defense of the 
state if invaded by the enemy. In this proceeding 
the governor was evidently in error in thus attempt- 
ing to establish the supremacy of the state over that 
of the general government — a doctrine afterwards 
followed by the southern states in acts of nullifica- 
tion and secession under the plea of "states' rights," 
The vote for governor in 181 2 was: For Honorable 
Caleb Strong, Esq., ninety-five votes; for His Excel- 
lency Elbridge Gerry, Esq., two votes. Gerry was 
known to be in favor of prosecuting the war. 

The town as early as 1 808 took action against the 
enforcement of the embargo, and again at a meeting 
held February 6, 1809, "voted to petition the Legis- 
lature of this state to interpose for our constitutional 
relief against the late arbitrary and unjust violations 
of the rights of the people;" chose Barnabas May- 
nard, James R. Parks and Amos Johnson, commit- 
tee, to draft the petition. After hearing the petition 
read, "voted unanimously to send it to the Legislature 
of the state." 

At a town meeting held July 4, 1 8 1 2, a still stronger 
opposition to the prosecution of the war appears from 
the records. 



TOWN OF BERLIN'. 6 1 

The article on which the action was taken reads 
thus : 

"To take into consideration the present alarming situation 
of our public affairs and act anything relative thereto that may 
be thought proper." 

"Voted the following resolutions unanimously : 
'That circumstanced as this country is with respect to the 
principal belligerents, we cannot but deem it improper and 
hazardous to resign our neutral position and involve ourselves 
in measures which, if we escape without loss of independence 
and our dearest rights, must of necessity inflict a lasting wound 
on our national prosperity. That we view with deep emotions 
of grief and even horror the participation of the government in 
a war unexampled in the annals of civil society. A war under- 
taken, not in defense, but for the extirpation of the rights of 
man, which has long deluged Europe in blood and threatens 
destruction to the remaining liberties of the world. That al- 
though we hold ourselves in readiness to expend our lives and 
property for our beloved country when called to its just de- 
fense against foreign aggression, yet it is with extreme reluc- 
tance that we are compelled to take up arms in a contest which, 
after the best information we have been able to obtain, is, in 
our deliberate judgment, unnecessary, impolitic and unjust. 
That such is the unhappy situation in which we are placed, 
that success in this war in our opinion would be the greatest 
misfortune that could happen to our country, by weakening the 
resistance of Britain to the overwhelming power of France, and 
thereby leaving us no alternative but that of submitting without 
a struggle to the will of the conqueror ; that the shedding of 
human blood (at all times an awful consideration and never to 
be resorted to but in the failure of every means of considera- 
tion) will in the present case, we fear, enhance our national 
guilt and draw down upon us the righteous vengeance of 
heaven. That while we utterly detest and will discountenance 
all combinations against lawful authority, we will not fail to co- 



62 HISTORY OF THE 

operate and unite with other towns in all lawful and constitutional 
methods to bring the war we so highly deprecate to a speedy 
and effectual termination." 

"Voted unanimously that the foregoing be adopted as being 
the sense of the inhabitants of this town." 

The records are silent as to the author of these 
resolutions. No committee was appointed to draft 
them and no person is named as having presented 
them. The resolutions are certainly clothed with 
vigorous language. It is quite possible that Dr. 
Puffer may have been the author. No one can fail 
to note that the principal reason assigned for the op- 
position to the war was that Britain might be so 
weakened by the war as to be unable to resist the 
overwhelming power of France, or in other words, 
our fathers here of 1 8 1 2 were fearful and apprehen- 
sive that Napoleon Bonaparte, then emperor of 
France, if not checked in his conquering career by 
the power of Great Britain, would, like Alexander the 
Great, seek other worlds to conquer. With Europe 
at his feet, it was thought quite probable that he 
would attempt to recover at least so much of America 
as was lost to France fifty years before, and conse- 
quently the liberties of our country would be crushed 
tinder the tread of his hostile legions, but this dread 
apprehension was unreal. The empire of Napoleon 
was then tottering on the brink of ruin, and soon fell 
to rise no more. 

The rolls of the militia are wanting; not to be 
found in the state archives at Boston. With these 
at hand we would be glad to present the names of 
those who stood ready at their country's call. We 
can only premise that a goodly number enlisted in 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 63: 

the army or navy and did good service, as their 
fathers did in the War of the Revolution. At a town 
meeting held on the 5th of April, 18 13, voted "to 
allow the soldiers one-quarter of a pound of powder 
in addition to what the law gives them." 

War was declared June 18, 1812, and intelligence 
of the same reached Boston five days later, and, as 
the General Court was then in session, the governor 
at once communicated it to the representatives of the 
people. Immediately the House prepared an address, 
which was adopted by a vote of nearly two to one, re- 
gretting the event and expressing their opinion of its 
impolicy and inexpediency. The action of the Senate 
was directly opposite, and that body adopted and pub- 
lished an address approving the war and declaring 
it, in their opinion, just and necessary. The fore- 
going resolutions, passed by the town, contain 
substantially the sentiments expressed by the House 
in their address, and these were in accordance with 
the views of a large majority of the people of the 
state. The political party opposed to the war was 
known at that time as the Federal party, and those 
in favor of prosecuting the war as the Democratic or 
Republican. The former of these received its death 
blow by the Hartford Convention, an assembly of 
Federalists convened at Hartford, Ct, Dec. 15, 18 14, 
to oppose the further prosecution of the war. The 
Convention was accused of treasonable designs by 
their opponents. However this may have been, the 
war party became popular with the people through- 
out the country. The war was brought to a suc- 
cessful close by the treaty of Ghent, Dec. 24, 18 14. 
The battle of New Orleans was fought Jan. 8, 18 15,. 



64 HISTORY OF THE 

fifteen days after the treaty was signed. No stib- 
marine wire connected the two continents at that 
time. The victory at New Orleans, the crowning 
event, was everywhere applauded, and the Legisla- 
ture of Massachusetts, by a handsome majority, 
passed a vote of thanks to General Jackson and his 
brave associates for their defense of that place. The 
following lines, composed by the poet, Silas Ballou, 
are a part of a patriotic song published soon after 
the close of the war, and extensivel}^ circulated 
throughout the country at that time, and have oc- 
casionally appeared in the papers since: 

What wonders did brave Jackson do, 

When aided by high Heaven ! 
Their leader and four thousand slew, 

And lost but only seven; 
Some interposing angel's hand 

Repelled their vile intrusion — 
The remnant of their broken band 

Fled off in sad confusion. 

They passed through numerous trying scenes, 

In most of them defeated; 
Their grand defeat at New Orleans 

The bloody scene completed. 
, Soon after this sweet peace arrived, 

Our armies were disbanded; 
Our scattered foes who had survived 

The war, were home commanded. 

What has our infant country gained 

By fighting that old nation? . 
Our liberties we have maintained, 

And raised our reputation. 
We've gained the freedom of the seas, 

Our seamen are released, 
Our mariners trade where they please, 

Impressments, too, have ceased. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 65 

Now, in ourselves we can confide; 

Abroad we are respected; 
We've checked the rage of British pride, 

Their haughtiness corrected. 
First, to the God of wondrous power. 

Be thanks and adoration; 
Next, Madison, the wondrous flower 

And jewel of our nation. 

Next, Congress does our thanks demand. 

To them our thanks we tender; 
Our heroes, next, by sea and land. 

To them our thanks we render. 
Let us be just, in union live, 

Then who will dare invade us? 
If any should, our God will give 

His angels charge to aid us. 

THE POWDER HOUSE BUILT. 

At a town meeting held March 7, 18 14, "voted to 
huild a powder house." "Then voted to choose a 
committee of three persons to build said house, and 
chose Captain Henry Powers, Deacon Stephen Bai- 
ley, Captain vSolomon Howe." 

TITHINGMEN, 1815. 

Who were tithingmen ? And what were they for? 
These questions may be asked without creating any 
wonder or surprise. They long ago disappeared from 
the list of officers annually chosen, but why needed 
then and not now? They suddenly disappeared in 
1 84 1, and haven't shown their heads since. Was it 
possible they were infected with the Millerite craze, 
which raged about this time, thinking their services 
might not be longer needed, the great conflagration 
being so near at hand, or was it found that they 
were practically of no use whatever? The latter 



66 



HISTORY OF THE 



theory is probably correct. Their principal duties 
were to keep order on the Sabbath, and especially 
to have an eye on roguish boys and sleepy heads at 
church. With long poles they were required to rap 
the craniums of such of the world's people (but more 
especially those of the younger ones) who were not 
paying due attention to the tenth, eleventh and 
twelfthly of the second sermon. The town usually 
had three ; but occasionally six, when whistles and 
jewsharps were plenty. 





PASSED USEFULNESS. 



GLEANINGS FROM THE ANNALS — MORE TLrHINGMEN 
NEEDED, 1815. 

Chose John Larkin, Alvan Sawyer and Silas Moss- 
man in addition to Theophilus Nourse and Joseph 
Howe, already chosen. 



1816. 

Voted to give Captain Ephraim Howe leave to 
build two tombs in the burying ground. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 67 

Voted to remove the hearse house to land given 
by Hollis Johnson at the corner of the burying 
ground. 

1 8 1 6 is remembered b}^ the older inhabitants as an 
exceptionally cold year. No corn ripened in New 
England, and to add to the discomforts of the people 
here, many suffered losses from the September gale, 
or great tornado, as it was more generally called. 
Many of the best timber lots in town were leveled 
with the ground. Nathan Johnson's wood lot was 
swept down. Many others in the line of the hurri- 
cane sustained severe losses in buildings and timber 
destroyed. 

1817. 

Voted to give certain persons leave to build stables 
on the Common, by agreeing with the Selectmen 
where said stables shall stand. 

December 22. Voted to adjourn the meeting to 
Solomon Howe's Inn. The reason was probably "to 
warm up." 

DIVISION OF THE SCHOOL MONEY, 1818. 

May 4. "Voted to let the Friends in Berlin have 
their part of money which they pay for schooling 
and hire a master of their denomination and lay it 
out in any school-house in said Berlin, to be a free 
school." 

1819. 

February 8. Chose Ephraim Babcock as their 
agent to act against the Friends drawing their 
school money and carrying it to Bolton. 



68 HISTORY OF THE 

March i . Voted the Selectmen as a committee to 
settle with Solomon Howe on account of the late 
property left the town by Joseph Priest. 

April 5. Granted $40 for a singing school and 
chose Thomas Brigham, Jr., Ephraim Goddard and 
William Sawyer a committee to lay out the money. 

1820. 

March 6. Accepted a plan of the Common made 
by Nathaniel Longley, Esq. 

May I . Voted to sell a piece of land to Shepherd 
and Dwight, near the west school-house, to build on. 

October 16. Voted to send Captain Amos Sawyer 
a delegate to the convention for the purpose of re- 
vising or altering the Constitution. 

1821. 

April 9. The votes cast in favor of fourteen arti- 
cles of amendment to the Constitution as made by 
the convention of November 15, 1820, and before the 
time for action, was 1 23 in the aggregate in favor and 
1,020 against, or an average of nearly eight in favor 
of each article and nearly seventy-three against. 

1823. 

March 3. Granted by vote $50 in addition for a 
reading and writing school, probably the first select 
school in town, — where kept? In the BuUard house, 
probably. 

June 3. Voted to petition the General Court to 
pass an act to enable the town to assess a tax on the 
pews for the repair of their meeting-house ; chose 
Captain Amos Sawyer agent. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 69 

September 9. Chose Oliver Sawyer, Ephraim 
Babcock and William Jones to prepare for repairing 
their meeting'-house. 

Voted said committee to prepare the underpinning- 
stones this fall and set them next winter. 

1824. 

April 5. Voted ''to sell the town house and land 
where the Widow Bruce lives." (See article, "House 
for the Poor.") 

NEW MEETING-HOUSE. 

September 7. The first mention of the movement 
for the building of a new meeting-house was at this 
date. The question was whether they would build 
a new meeting-house or repair the old one. They 
voted to repair, but at a meeting held November i 
they tried the question again, and the result was 
thirty-four in favor of building and thirty-four against. 
At a meeting held December 8, 1824, they voted to 
build a new meeting-house, but at the adjourned 
meeting April 4, 1825, the above vote was modified: 
"Provided they can build said house for $4,000 above 
the underpinning stones." 

NEW MEETING-HOUSE, 1 825. 

June 27. Voted to set the new meeting-house on 
or near where the old one now stands. 

The committee chosen to appraise the old pews 
was: Colonel Jotham Bush, Lovat Peters, Esq., and 
Silas Felton, Esq. Chose Oliver Sawyer, Hollis 
Johnson and Joseph Parks a Building Committee, and 
nine others to act as counsel to the committee. 



7P HISTORY OF THE 

Report of the committee chosen to present a plan : 

May 2 "Berlin, June 27, 1825. To the inhabitants of the 
town of BerHn in public town meeting assembled : Your com- 
mittee appointed at a previous meeting to prepare a plan for a 
contemplated new meeting-house now present you with a 
plan, the dimensions and construction to be as follows, viz. : 
Fifty feet long and forty-seven feet wide, exclusive of the projec- 
tion, the pulpit to be at one end of the house, with three pews 
on the lower floor, the pews to be eight and one-half feet long 
and three feet wide. The aisles to be three in number, the 
broad aisle to be five feet wide, the others to be three feet, and 
to be by the wall of the house, instead of having wall pews. 
Our reasons for having no wall pews are three : 

"First. That in our opinion there will be a greater circula- 
tion of air through the house than if part of'the congregation 
were sitting close by the windows. 

"Second. That not so many of the assembly will sit under 
the galleries, which is generally considered not so agreeable as 
otherwise. 

"Third. That the hearers will all sit facing the speaker. The 
galleries to be eight or nine feet wide and at the projection to 
be built over it for the accommodation of the choir of singers, 
the projection to be seven feet wide ; also that there be a well 
proportioned cupola, etc. This we respectfully submit to you, 
gentlemen, for your consideration, wishing that so solemn a 
transaction as the building a house for the worship of God may 
be conducted with prudence, wisdom and harmony." Major 
Oliver Sawyer, Dexter Fay, Joseph Parks, Ephraim Babcock, 
Edward Johnson, Amos Sawyer and Jonathan D. Meriam, Com- 
mittee. 

1826. 

March 16. "Voted that D. D. R. Puffer preach 
at the different school-houses the present season." 
"Then voted that the town meetings be held at the 
house of Solomon Howe the ensuing sea.son." 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 7 1 

August 28. Chose Oliver Sawyer, Hollis John- 
son and Joseph Parks a committee to purchase a bell 
and prepare apparatus to hang the bell. 

November 3. The report of the Building Commit- 
tee accepted. Whole cost of the house, $4,516.52. 
Among the items which make up the above accounts 
was $98 for "entertainment" at the raising of the 
meeting-house. The house was dedicated Novem- 
ber 15, 1826. 

RETURN THANKS, 1 826. 

December 4. Voted the thanks of the town to 
Mr. Levi Meriam and Mrs, Nancy Babcock of Boston 
for their generous offer of a furnace for the meeting- 
house. 

1827. 

March 5. Granted $400 to pay for the bell. 

STRUGGLE FOR A SCHOOL IN THE CENTRE. 

May, 1827. A petition was sent to the General 
Court by residents in the middle of the town for a 
school-house in the Centre. The town chose Daniel 
Wheeler to oppose it. He made a map of the town 
showing the location of every house. The petition- 
ers had leave to withdraw. 

December 10. The following bill was laid before 
the town and acted on as follows: "To give the peti- 
tioners the privilege of^ drawing one-fifth part of the 
school money that is granted and expended in said 
town till said town shall agree to build a school-house 
for the convenience of the petitioners and other in- 
habitants of said town to expend said money in, on 
condition the petitioners will withdraw their petition 



72 HISTORY OF THE 

and provide a place free of expense to said town and 
make it known to the vSelectmen annuall}^ on or be- 
fore the day of holding" their annual March meeting." 
Votes taken on the bill by yeas and nays as fol- 
lows: Yeas 29, nays 45. 

WHERE TOWN MEETINGS WERE HELD, 1 828. 

March 3. The town meetings for 1826-7 had been 
held at the house of Solomon Howe. The March 
meeting, 1828, was held at Samuel Spofford's hall, 
and it was there voted the town meetings be held at 
the school-houses in rotation; first at the south 
house. This continued till 1831, when the town 
house on the Common was built. 

NEW COUNTY. 

April 7, 1828. At south school-house; "required 
to bring in their votes by yeas and nays to the Se- 
lectmen by ballot for or against the formation of a 
new county from the following towns, viz. : Royal- 
ston, Winchendon, Athol, Templeton, Gardner, 
Westminster, Ashburnham, Fitchburg, Leominster, 
Lunenburg, Princeton, Hubbardston, Phillipston, 
Lancaster, Bolton and Harvard from the county of 
Worcester, and the towns of Groton,_ Shirley, Pep- 
perell, Ashby and Townsend from the county of Mid- 
dlesex, as prayed for in the petition of Ivers Jewett 
and others." "There were fifty-seven votes brought 
in by ballot against the formation of said county" 
and none for. 

THE OLD TOWN HOUSE, 1830. 

May 27. "Voted to build a town house to do pub- 
lic business in." Chose Ephraim Babcock, Timothy 



I 

TOWN OF BERLIN. 73 

Bailey and Jonathan D. Meriam, committee. Di- 
mensions 28x33, posts twelve feet, cost $500. The 
house was first used for a town meeting October 24, 
1831. 

THE TOWN AND CHURCH DIVIDED, 1 838. 

After the death of Dr. Puffer, 1 829, the question 
of his successor was agitated for some time, but 
finally the town made choice of Rev. Robert F. Wal- 
cott. The church protested against the action of the 
town ; nearly all the members seceded, chose another 
minister and built a new meeting-house. (See arti- 
cle on " Ecclesiastical Affairs.") 

1832. 
November 17. "Voted that the Congregational 
Society be set off as a parish." 

CHANGE TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SYSTEM, 1 83 5. 

March 7. Voted to sell the old school-houses and 
the proceeds appropriated for schooling in each of 
the five districts. 

The bell on the meeting-house having been broken, 
the town voted to pay for recasting the same. 

"The committee reported the west school-house is 
too small." 

March 30. "Voted that Mr. Josiah Bride have the 
use of the town house to keep school in." 

1836. 
April 18. The town relinquished all right and in- 
terest in and to the meeting-house and all right to 
the bell and other appurtenances connected with said 
house, but an article relating to the meeting-house 
Common they voted to pass over. 



74 HISTORY OF THE 

The year 1837 is remembered as one of financial 
distress throughout the country. Bankruptcy and 
ruin prevailed to an alarming extent, caused largely 
by over-speculation in wild-cat money. Similar dis- 
asters have overtaken the country nearly every twen- 
ty years since. 

TOWN CENSUS. 

The census of Berlin was taken by the Assessors 
May I, 1837. Number of inhabitants, 724. 

SURPLUS REVENUE, 184O. 

The town voted " that their proportion of the 
surplus revenue be brought into town, taking it from 
the hands of the state treasurer." Voted not to 
divide the money according to population, but to loan 
it on real estate security. The money was used later 
for building the Clinton and other roads. 

LAWSUIT, BERLIN AGAINST BOLTON, 1 843. 

October 23. Previous to date the town had been 
engaged, as plaintiff or defendant, in eight or more 
lawsuits, mostly pauper cases, but none assumed the 
importance of this, which was carried to the Supreme 
Court on points of law. Berlin brought an action 
against Bolton to recover expenses incurred for the 
support of Timothy Brooks Wheeler and his wife, 
paupers, whose settlement was alleged to be in Bol- 
ton. At the trial, in the Court of Common Pleas, 
before Wells, C. J., the only point in dispute was the 
settlement of the paupers. It was admitted by the 
defendants that Timothy B. Wheeler formerly had 
his settlement in Bolton, and that it still continued 
there, unless he had acquired one in Berlin. It was 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 75 

agreed that said Wheeler had resided in Berlin ever 
since the year 1826, and no taxes had been there 
assessed to or paid by him. But the defendants 
contended that, notwithstanding the omissions of the 
Assessors of Berlin, he had acquired a settlement 
there ; and they offered evidence to prove that during 
more than five years, in ten successive years, said. 
Wheeler was possessed of real and personal estate, 
and that the omission of said Assessors to tax him 
was not on account of his age, infirmity or povert}^, 
or through mistake, but in order to prevent his ac- 
quiring a settlement in Berlin. The judge ruled 
that said evidence w#s inadmissible, and rejected it. 
A verdict was thereupon rendered for the plaintiffs, 
and defendants alleged exceptions to said ruling. 
The case was carried to the vSupreme Court on the 
exceptions, and the ruling of Judge Wells was sus- 
tained and Bolton lost the case. 

This Timothy Brooks Wheeler lived at vStone's 
corner, in the house later owned by Isaac Stone. 
The Assessors omitted to tax him, apprehending that 
he might become a pauper and the town have him 
to support. The agents on the part of the town to 
conduct the suit were Lewis Carter and Captain 
Samuel Spofford, and their lawyers were Rejoice 
Newton and B. F. Thomas. The attorney for the 
defendant was F. H. Dewey. 

THE TOWN FURNISHED COFFINS. 

A very singular proceeding on the part of the town 
occurred in 1843, in voting " that a contract be made 
with some person or persons to furnish coffins for 
the dead, at a price to be paid by the town not ex- 



76 HISTORY OF THE 

ceeding $2.50 each for persons above the age of fif- 
teen years, and $1.50 each for persons below that 
age." In 1859 it was voted that the town furnish all 
its inhabitants with coffins who will accept of such 
as the town, will furnish, and none should cost over 
$4.50, and later voted to pay $5. Voted, also, the 
services of the sexton be paid by the town. The 
practice of paying as above was abandoned a few 
years later. 

The year 1 843 was one of great religious excite- 
ment in many parts of the country* on account of a 
supposed catastrophe which was about to occur. 
Many in various places had espoused the doctrines 
of one William Miller of A^ermont, who predicted, 
from prophetic ciphering, that the world would come 
to an end this year and that Christ would reappear. 
•Some citizens in this vicinity were affected with this 
mania. The day was fixed, the ascension robes pre- 
pared, and, at the appointed time, the believers as- 
sembled on a high hill, robed in their saintly regalia, 
to ascend to mansions in the skies, but, after waiting 
all day long to hear the trumpet blow, they retired to 
their several terrestrial abodes, wondering, no doubt, 
why it was that the Lord had delayed His coming. 
One man, a native of this town, gave his farm to a 
man for his support up to the appointed time, reason- 
ing that it would be of no use to him after his eleva- 
tion to a seat on high. 

OWNERSHIP OF THE COMMON AND REMOVING TREES, 

1846. 

The question of the ownership of the Common was 
raised this year and a committee was chosen " to 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 77' 

ascertain the rights of any in the Common." The 
town and the parish both laid claim to it. So sure 
was the town of its being the rightful owner that 
they voted " that the persons who set out trees on 
the town's Common remove the same free from ex- 
pense to the town," and chose a committee to fix the 
bounds of the Common, Esquire J. D. Meriam chair- 
man. The sequel of this tree business was that 
during a night soon after the above action, most of 
the trees w^ere sawed off near the ground. Luther 
Babcock, of Berlin, was convicted of the crime and 
served a term in jail for the offense. One other tree 
of larger dimensions, near the Common, was con- 
sidered a public nuisance by Esquire Meriam, and he 
removed it. For this act he was subjected to ex- 
pense and costs in defending himself, which was re- 
funded to him by the town, as appears by the follow- 
ing, March I, 1847: "Voted to instruct the Select- 
men to indemnify Jona. D. Meriam, by giving him an 
order on the treasurer for his expenses and trouble 
in defending himself from a suit brought against him 
from the state, for removing a tree from the county 
road near the meeting house Common." The young 
trees now on the Common were set out 1881. The 
contention about the ownership of the Common was 
finally settled 1868, by a decision of Judge Mellen,. 
substantially in favor of the parish. 

ROADS. 

Berlin has ever been noted for the excellency of 
its roads. The main thoroughfares, when well 
trodden, present a hard, smooth surface like unto 
adamant. This is due largely to the material used„ 



78 HISTORY OF THE 

In various parts of the town are found gravel beds, 
the material of which, mixed with loam,, forms a 
concrete not readily affected by frost or rain. It will 
be noted by the observer that most of the roads run 
in a northerly and southerly direction, owing, in part, 
to the fact that the hills, valleys and water courses 
extend the same way, and owing, also, to the fact 
that most of the very first settlements were made 
from the north, from Lancaster and Bolton, hence 
roads were extended into this territory as settlements 
were made and extended further south as farms were 
taken up. The earliest of these was the road in the 
northwest part from Lancaster, where some of the 
Houghtons settled. vSoon after, the road by Rich- 
ard Wheeler's was laid out, and the road over 
Wheeler hill, by Isaac Moore's. Again, about the 
same time, the Hog swamp road, on to Sawyer hill, 
but not over it, together with the road into the Holder 
neighborhood, was built. In 1795, as appears by the 
map made at that time, the main thoroughfare 
through town was the road over W^heeler hill and 
Barnes' hill by the meeting-house. None of these, or 
any others known, were built before about 1720, but 
four or five families were in town a,t that time, includ- 
ing those on the Assabet belonging to Marlboro. Not 
many settlements antedate the separation from Lan- 
caster, 1738, hence the demand for roads was limited 
to the wants of very few. After the excision from 
Lancaster, and while a part of Bolton, the bulk of 
our territory was settled and nearly all of the old 
roads were built during this period, and these were 
made where people were obliged to travel, — to go to 
mill, to go to meeting, to go to the County Court at 



rOVVN OF BERLIN. 79 

Worcester and to the General Court at Boston, the 
latter being the market place, then as now, for their 
products. To meet their milling necessities, they 
must needs first have roads to Lancaster and then to 
Feltonville, before Goddard's and Pollard's mills 
were built. The old Boylston road was the way 
most used to Worcester. To go to Boston, they 
connected with the old Bay road through Hog 
swamp, by Avery Newton's and "■ Spectacle hill," or 
else the road by the Holder and Brigham's bridge 
to Marlboro (bridge built 1699). The Car-lys, and 
others in the south part, went by way of Robbin 
hill to Marlboro, and thence vSudbury and Boston. 
Our space does not admit of an extended record of 
the roads laid out before we became a town, nor 
shall we trespass on the time of the reader in pre- 
senting all the dry details of laying out, altering, ex- 
tending and discontinuing most of the roads since 
that date, but brief mention will be made of the 
more important thoroughfares laid out by the Com- 
missioners and vSelectmen from time to time. The 
road south of Rufus Wheeler's was laid out 1784, 
as also were the roads north and northeast of Francis 
Babcock's, to take the place of other old roads. 

In 1 798 the old county road was laid out, extend- 
ing from "Beaman's bridge to Berlin meeting- 
house." The same was extended eastward to vStone's 
corner. The mail stage ran over this road from 
Barre to Boston. 

In 1 80 1 the old Boylston road by the James God- 
dard place was built, or changed in location in some 
parts. From this date onward, for some years, no 
important roads were laid out or changes made, 



8o HISTORY OF THE 

except that we note that certain bridle ways were 
converted into open ways. For instance, the road 
from Sanderson Carter's to Henry Powers' was 
opened 1837, also the Asa Bride bridle way in 1853, 
and some short pieces made. 

In 1 841 the road from the Aaron Morse farm to 
Hudson was laid out in place of the older way. 

In 1 843 the road from Calvin Smith's (Newsome's) 
to Northboro line, was laid out, diverting the travel 
from the old road by the Hal. Bailey place. 

In 185 1 the road from West Berlin to Clinton was 
completed. 

In 1852 the road from Oliver Fosgate's to New 
Worcester was made, and extended to the depot in 
1868. 

In 1853 the road from vSouth Berlin, by Wheeler's 
mills, was built. 

In 1868-9 the straight road from the south part, 
and also the Jones road (so called), both leading tO' 
the depot, were made. 

In 1 869 the Barnes' hill road was laid out from the 
bridge to near L. Bruce's. 

In 1 87 1 the way west of Carterville to the hotel 
was built by the Massachusetts Central Railroad 
Company, in place of the old road north of the rail- 
road ; also, at same time, the railroad company built 
a road extending west of the hotel to the Rand 
place, including a part of the old county road. 

In 1 88 1 the straight road on the south side of the 
railroad, extending from the hotel to the Rand place, 
was built by the railroad company. This was made 
to avoid two crossings of the railroad. The road 
from L. W. Brewer's to M. R, Tyler's was built 1885.. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 8 1 

We have thirty-nine miles and forty-seven rods of 
roads in town, with an annual appropriation of about 
$i,ooo for repairs. No other roads are apparently 
needed for many years to come, unless some electric 
road courses our streets, necessitating- a change of 
location at certain points. 

BRIDGES. 

The iron bridge over the Assabet, east of the Aaron 
Morse place, was built 1888. 

Of those over North brook three are of stone, the 
rest are plank. 

HOUSE FOR THE POOR. 

In 1802 the town bought of Samuel vSpofford a 
small one-story house and about one-half acre of 
land " for the accommodation of poor persons." This 
was the only house at the time in Carterville. The 
town sold it in 1825 to Joel Gage, a tanner. Later the 
house was remodeled and enlarged by vSamuel M. 
Fuller. This house was on land originally of An- 
drew McElwain. Moses Goddard and others lived 
there awhile, previously. 

THE TOWN FARM. 

The farm formerly known as the Meriam farm, 
later called the Ellis place, was bought by the town 
in 1855 at auction. The same was sold by the town, 
in lots, 1857, reserving about six acres for a new 
cemetery. This was sold later, as the ground was 
found to be too wet for burial purposes. Cost of 
farm April i, 1855, $3,605; sold April i, 1857, for 
$5,025.31; 6 acres unsold; leaving a surplus of 
$1,203.50, plus6acres, after paying interest, taxes, etc. 



82 HISTORY OF THE 

ROAD BOUNDS, 1850. 

The bounds of the roads throughout the town 
were renewed this year. The survey was made by 
Levi Bigelow, Jr., Esq., who lived at the time on 
the Elisha Bassett farm. 

1852. 

Hon. Henry Wilson of Natick was chosen by this 
town a delegate to the Convention for the Revision 
of the Constitution of this state. He resigned, and 
Hon. Geo, S. Boutwell was chosen in his stead, May 
27, 1853- 

RAILROADS, AGRICULTURAL BRANCH, 1 868. 

The first railroad to penetrate the town was the 
Agricultural Branch, which began running its regu- 
lar passenger cars July 2, 1866. This road had run 
up to Northboro for seven years, but was extended 
to Pratt's Junction at this time. The depot at the 
west part was then established and vSilas R. Carter 
had charge of the same. This corporation was 
merged into the Boston, Clinton and Fitchburg Rail- 
road Company, and after other changes passed into 
the hands of the Old Colony Railroad Company, and 
now is controlled by the New York, New Haven & 
Hartford Company. - 

The central station on this road was located at the 
Captain Paul Brigham place, 1868, There was con- 
siderable contention between the Centre and south 
part in relation to the location of this depot. The 
Centre contended for the corner near Martin Flagg's, 
while the south part were in favor of the Brigham 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 8;^ 

place. The latter was finally selected as the better 
point for the accommodation of both villages and all 
the people. 

MASSACHUSETTS CENTRAL. 

About two years after the completion of the Agri- 
cultural Branch road, 1866, the subject of building 
the Massachusetts Central railroad was agitated and 
discussed here in town with much earnestness and 
enthusiasm. Although the town was quite well ac- 
commodated with railroad facilities, having one rail- 
road running through the town north and south, and 
of easy access also to the Fitchburg road by the old 
stage line to Hudson, yet many thought that the in- 
crease of railroads would necessitate an increase of 
business and prosperity to the town, hence the sub- 
ject matter was early brought before the town, and 
at the November meeting, 1868, "it was voted that 
the Selectmen be a committee on the part of the 
town to petition the General Court in behalf of this 
town in aid of the petition of Edward Denny and 
others," who were the original petitioners for this 
road. Subsequently the town was asked to take 
stock in the road to the amount of five per cent, of 
its valuation, the limit fixed by law, and at a meet- 
ing held November 27, 1869, they voted to subscribe 
for 200 shares of stock, amounting to $20,000. The 
vote for taking the stock stood: Yeas 37, nays 22. 
This road in the beginning met with various re- 
verses, failed before completion, went into the hands 
of a receiver, was reorganized in new charter as the 
Central Massachusetts Railroad Company, was sub- 
sequently leased to the Lowell Railroad Company,, 



84 HISTORY OF THE 

and now is operated by the Boston & Maine and is 
apparently doing a thriving business, and may be re- 
garded as one of the trunk lines out of Boston. It 
began running passenger trains December 19, 
1881. 

STAGE COACH AND POST OFFICES, 1 828. 

An era in Berlin was the establishment of a stage 
line from Barre to Boston and a Berlin post office. 
Up to 1826 Berlin letters came to Bolton, newspa- 
pers came by the market man from Boston or post 
rider from Worcester once a week. In the AVar of 
18 1 2-1 5 and the da3's of Napoleon, our market man, 
Hugh Bruce, would bring the weekly paper of 
"Esquire Howe," and many a farmer and cooper 
would gather to hear the news. The newspaper was 
opened first of all and often read aloud on the spot. 
In every country store were adjusted on the sides and 
on the posts tape lines nailed up for posting letters. 
There they waited for some passer-by to take them 
along. For Worcester a man from Berlin going to 
Northboro would take it so far. It was then on the 
"great road" and would soon reach its destination. 
' Every store and bar-room became a distributing post 
office. Why, there was no post office system, even 
in England, when our fathers came over ! Lancaster 
had none till Berlin was eleven years old. Levi 
Pease of Shrewsbury, a mile this side of the town 
betw^een the Ward and Wyman mansions, started 
the first stage in America. It ran between Boston, 
Worcester, Hartford and New York, carrying the 
mail. Pease soon operated as mail distributer 
throughout New EnglanJl. He died 1824. In 1794 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 85 

the boys and some fathers went several miles to see 
the first four-horse stage go down from Worcester to 
Boston on the great road through Shrewsbury, 
Northboro and on. So here the excitement was 
considerable when "'Squire Meriam," a leading force 
here, with Colonel Pope and George E. Manson of 
Feltonville, started our Berlin stage. It broke Mer- 
iam down financially ; all suffered loss, but a great 
public good was effected. We got a post office May 
2, 1828 ; so did Feltonville. J. D. Meriam was post- 
master here ; practically William A. Howe. Then 
letter postage was 6^, 12^, i8f and 25 cents. All 
letters to one town or city were done up in one pack- 
age. Each single letter to any one town was also 
done up by itself, with the schedule "paid" or "un- 
paid;" this must be registered before sending, and 
every letter received must be entered in like manner. 
It was mine to serve as substitute postmaster at 
times, so I know somewhat. This stage line subsided 
in 1837 to three trips a week between Berlin and Bos- 
ton, under charge of Amos Sawyer, Jr. In 1 849 Mr. 
Sawyer began express on the Fitchburg railroad, via 
South Acton, six times a week. He had succeeded 
Merrick Houghton as Berlin market man, who had 
succeeded Hugh Bruce, the first. In all, up to 1865, 
at his death, Mr. Sawyer had compassed an amount 
in miles that would have carried him ten times 
around the globe. John G. Peters was the successor 
of Mr. Sawyer in the express business, and lastly 
Warren Howe continued to run the old Berlin coach 
till February, 1 894. The following lines, composed 
by Phebe A. Holder, are a fit conclusion to the end 
of the running of that familiar old coach : — 



86 HISTORY OF THE 

THE BERLIN COACH. 

"Alas, but it can live again only in memory! Alas, for the days that 
are gone !" 

The shades of night were falling fast, 
As through the streets of Berlin passed 
A youth who drove through snow and ice, 
The Coach with the old-time device, 
The old Stage Coach. 

His brow is sad, no sunny glow 
Lights up the well-known features now, 
And like a bell in tolling rung 
All dismally from faltering tongue. 

"The last old Coach." 

In happy homes, he'd seen the lights 
Of household fires gleam warm and bright. 
Above, through clouds the dimmer moon shone. 
And from his lips escaped a groan. 

"Good bye, old Coach." 

Some traveler's unknowing haste 
To take the Coach, no time to waste. 
No Coach, no driver, horses none. 
Their ancient occupation gone. 

With old Stage Coach. 

"Seek now some other way," he cried, 
"No more with me in stage you ride." 
That was the driver's last good night. 
As he departed from our sight,' 

With good old Coach. 

"Its course is run, its errand done." 
No more we hear at set of sun 
The rattling wheels, through life we've heard. 
That have with joy my child heart stirred. 
The old Stage Coach. 

No more with baggage loaded down, 
The passengers haste to our town. 
No more the children in the street 
Run for a ride, with nimble feet, 
On old Stage Coach. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 87 

"In summer's heat and winter's cold," 
The old Stage Coach would we behold, 
True as the sun along its way 
At early morn and twilight grey. 
The faithful Coach. 

And O what joy our hearts would fill; 
E'en now I feel the old-time thrill, 
When at our door the Coach would stop, 
A looked-for friend with us to drop. 
The good old Coach ! 

Such chill oppressive in the air, 
Such sense of goneness everywhere; 
Like loss of friend, like funeral day, 
The passing of the Coach away, 

The dear old Coach. 

Thus all things change, thus pass the old. 
New times our wondering eyes behold; 
But still amid the changes wrought, 
We give to the regretful thought, 
O dear old Coach ! 

And as the days still onward glide, 
And in electric cars we ride, 
We'll keep, old Stage Coach, true to thee, 
A place in tender memory. 

Dear Berlin Coach ! 

Phebe a. Holder. 
Berlin, February 3, 1894, last trip. 

The post office at West Berlin was established 
soon after the opening of the Boston, Clinton & 
Fitchburg railroad (Old Colony) May 13, 1868. 
Silas R. Carter was appointed postmaster, and still 
holds the position. 

The post office at South Berlin was established 
March 3, 1891, and Charles B. Maynard was ap- 
pointed postmaster. He was succeeded by H. Er- 
nest Lasselle, April 21, 1891, who still holds the 
position. 



as HISTORY OF THE 

LIST OF POSTMASTERS AT THE CENTRE. 

Jonathan D. Meriam, May 2, 1828. 
William A. Howe, February 11, 1831. 
James E. Woods, February 27, 183Q. 
Haman Hunt, June 4, 1839. 
Dexter B.Saunders, October 24, 1844. 
Joel Bullard, November 4, 1846. 
Rufus S. Hastings, November 22, 1848. 
Amory A. Bartlett, May 25, 1874. 
Ezra S. Moore, June 6, 1881. 
Christopher White, March 6, 1891. 

AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE. 

Farming ever has been the leading industry of the 
town, but since the advent of railroads into the town, 
more attention has been paid to horticulture and 
mixed farming. The nearness of large manufactur- 
ing villages in the vicinity has stimulated truck 
farming to a considerable extent. Formerly the hop 
culture was the leading cash product of the farm. 
This continued to pay quite well from 1800 to 1820. 
In one year about 6,000 pounds were raised, but 
times changed and the good times of hop pickers 
came to grief. Among the "bubbles" which burst 
in Berlin was the morns iimlticajilis speculation about 
1840-5. This was the raising a kind of mul- 
berry tree for feeding silk worms. Agriculture here 
took a new departure about 1 8 5 5 : a farmers' club was 
formed, discussions held, essays read, fairs insti- 
tuted, new methods adopted, and the result was that 
earlier and lighter products were raised. Milk mak- 
ing for the Boston market has been a leading busi- 
ness since 1866, when the first railroad came into 



i 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 89 

town. Of late a number have engaged in hot-house 
culture for raising early vegetables and flowers, car- 
nation pinks taking the lead. Willis Rice was the 
first to introduce this industry. The south part of 
the town is largely engaged in raising asparagus ; 
considerable income is derived from this product. 
Berlin is said to be second only to Concord in the 
amount raised of this vegetable in the state, Lewis 
B. Wheeler and some others make a specialty of 
raising bulbous roots (gladiolus) for the New York 
and other markets. Grape culture was profitable a 
few years ago, but now the business has gone up on 
account of the low price of western fruit in our mar- 
kets. The same is true of other products formerly 
remunerative, now driven to the wall by western 
competition, notably beef and pork, and hence farm- 
ers have to adapt themselves to new conditions and 
raise more small fruits, etc., which will not bear long 
transportation. The town stands fairly well in com- 
parison with the early times in the amount of prod- 
ucts raised. In 1792 the number of families was 
less than 100. There were 350 acres tilled, thirty 
yoke of oxen, 100 cows and 4,500 pounds of pork 
raised. As given in to the Assessors, Samuel Brig- 
ham had twelve tons of hay on twelve acres of fresh 
meadow, Stephen Bailey had twelve tons on eight- 
een acres, Joel Fosgate ten on ten acres, David Tay- 
lor had sixteen tons on eighteen acres, Nathan John- 
son had sixteen on twenty, Silas Bailey had twenty 
on twenty. At this early date and for fifty years af- 
ter, the farmers raised nearly all the grain they con- 
sumed, fed none to their stock except to beef cattle, 
used some for fattening pork and the bulk for the 



90 HISTORY OF THE 

household. No tuberculosis then. How now? Most 
of the farmers at first marketed their own products, 
but later marketmen came around and gathered up 
the surplus, which consisted of beef, pork, veal, poul- 
try, eggs and butter. The returns from these kept 
the frugal farmer in a thriving condition. If his in- 
come was small, his outgoes were likewise so. 

There are in town about half a dozen silos. The 
owners claim that it is a paying investment, and that 
the corn ensilage fed to milch cows has produced 
desirable results. 

SHOE SHOPS. 
THE BIG PARKER SHOE SHOP. 

On the site of the Methodist Church once stood the 
large shoe shop, the pride of the town in the manufac- 
turing industries. The building was built by a com- 
pany of the citizens of the town in 1868. The di- 
mensions were 30 x 100 feet, four stories. It was oc- 
cupied first by Bickford, Klenart & Co., later by 
Charles F. Parker & Co., and finally by John H. 
Parker. The shop was burned February 18, 1882. 
Loss (shop and machinery), $20,000. 

THE PRESENT PARKER SHOE SHOP. 

This is the shop on the Clinton road, owned by 
John H. Parker, and was originally Dr. Hartshorn's 
laboratory, moved to this spot and enlarged. 

Mr. Parker is doing a brisk business in shoes, 
boots, Arctic socks, etc. The principal line of work 
is putting leather soles to rubber boots, for which he 
owns the patent and has the exclusive right to man- 




\^-» W'^ ^WT] 




PRESENT PARKER SHOE SHOP. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 9 1 

lafacture. These boots are shipped to all parts of the 
United States, including Alaska; also largely to 
Europe. 

OTHER SHOE MANUFACTURERS. 

Previous to the building of the large shoe shop, 
there had been a number of others for the manufac- 
ture of boots and shoes and numerous others scat- 
tered in various parts of the town for the bottoming 
of shoes. Among the manufacturers we note the fol- 
lowing : 

Grassie & Hartshorn manufactured boots about 

1850-55. 

Elisha T. Wheeler made shoes in a shop near his 
house (the Otterson place) 1850-60. 

Dea. George W. Sawyer and Silas Houghton 
manufactured children's shoes in the building now 
Isaac Holbrook's house, about 1850. 

Eli Sawyer, Jr., and .William T. Babcock, 2d, 
manufactured shoes in the present John H. Parker 
shop, 1874. 

CUSTOM SHOEMAKERS. 

Stephen S. Southwick, Josiah Barnard, Oliver 
Barnard, Silas Fairbanks were custom shoemakers. 
Am.ory A. Bartlett manufactured shoes in the Acad- 
emy building, 1862-67. 

Maynard & Whitney did quite an extensive busi- 
ness in the manufacture of shoes in the south part, 
1855-60. 

E. C. Shattuck manufactured shoes in the shop 
connected with his house, 185 5-1 865. 

George Henry Maynard erected a shop of respect- 
able dimensions near his former residence and car- 



92 HISTORY OF THE 

ried on the business of making shoes for a short time, 
about 1860-70. 

Brigham & Stone were engaged in manufacturing 
shoes in Carterville about 1858. 

Lewis H. Barnard was a manufacturer of shoes 
in Carterville. He bought out James N. Fry of Bol- 
ton about 1840. Shop was over John Merrill's store, 

Pliny B. Southwick and Josiah Moore bought out 
L. H. Barnard, 1848, and continued the business till 
1852. 

BOTTOMERS. 

Previous to the war and before the large estab- 
lishments were erected, the town was dotted with 
small shops for bottoming, nearly every other house 
having one. Only the larger and more important 
will be noted. 

Israel Sawyer did an extensive business in this 
line in the shop now standing on the old place. 

Henry H. Bliss employed a number of hands. 

Captain A. A. Powers had a shop in Carterville. 

Jonathan F. Wheeler was in the business for 
awhile. 

Lyman Morse had a shop, in which he did a large 
business till the time of his death. 

Edwin Sawyer had a shop near his house. 

James M. Hastings has a .shop, in which he has 
worked till recently. 

The Cartwright brothers (Thomas and N. H.) 
have been in the business many years. N. H. is 
still in. 

Marcus M. Goddard, one of the older and more 
continuous ones for thirty years or more, is still peg- 
ging away. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 93 

Edward P. Hastings is now and has been for many 
years the largest operator in this line of any in town ; 
has a large number of hands and uses water power 
at the vSouth Part mills. 

Henry D. Coburn was a shoe bottomer 1840 to 
i860. 

John A. Merrill had a shop in Carterville 1856 and 
another 1864. Employed from ten to fifteen hands. 

Silas R. Carter had a shop (the present West Part 
depot) about 1860-65. 

BLACKSMITHS. 

In the early time there were numerous black- 
smiths in various parts of the town. The first of 
these we have any account of was Joseph Priest, vSr., 
who settled on the old place now owned by Rufus 
R, Wheeler, 1733. The next in point of time was 
Samuel Rice, son of David, who had a shop in the 
middle of the town on the spot where A. A. Bart- 
lett's house now stands ; was probably there about 
1750. He sold to James Goddard 1778. Silas Moss- 
man was there 18 13, Nathaniel Wilder 18 18, and 
finally Joel BuUard continued in occupancy from 
about 1 83 1 to 1850. Amos Meriam was a black- 
smith where Richard Wheeler lives, 1 765 . Formerly 
there was a blacksmith shop on the Dea. Job Spof- 
ford place. David Taylor lived with his brother-in- 
law, Spofford, at the time, 1780 to 1795, and both 
may have worked at the business. In the north part 
Marmaduke Southwick had a shop on the David 
Southwick farm. Daniel Wheeler had a shop near 
his house. Formerly there was a shop in the west 
part. It stood near the railroad crossing by the 



94 HISTORY OF THE 

bridge, and was occupied successively by Simeon 
Bowman, Daniel Holbrook, Riley Smith, 

A blacksmith shop once stood near the present 
residence of Rufus R. Wheeler. In 1788 Cotton 
Newton lived on the place, later Simeon Bowman 
about 1800, and still later John Wallis about 1830. 

Riley Smith, after working a short time in the 
shop at the west part, removed to Carterville about 
1845. Here he continued until 1875 and was suc- 
ceeded by Samuel M. Haynes in ownership. Haynes, 
not being a smith, hired men to do the work. The 
shop was burned. In 1 8 8 3 it was rebuilt, and since has 
been let to various parties. The present occupant 
is John H. Keating, a man well esteemed and a good 
workman. 

Tilson W. Barker had a blacksmith shop in the 
south part, near John O. ]\Iaynard's house, 1850. 
In 1867 it was burned. 

The shop on the Dea. Peters place was built by 
William A. Howe. 

Theodore Guertin built his shop on the road to 
the Old Colony depot in 1877. 

COOPERS. 
In the early time this was an inviting field for 
coopers. The abundant supply of oak and chestnut 
here afforded abundant material for barrels and 
casks for the Boston market, and shops for the mak- 
ing of these were once nearly as numerous as in later 
times were the shoe shops. We find the craft named 
among the Bruces, Bigelows, Houghtons, Pollards, 
Sawyers, and many others. It was no mean trade ; it 
took a good mechanic to make a good barrel. Hor- 
ace Biofelow was the last of the race. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 95 

CARPENTERS. 

Peter Larkin, Luther Priest, Amory Sawyer, Ed- 
ward Johnson, Curtis Carter, Silas Sawyer, Hartwell 
Sawyer, Josiah E, Sawyer, Abram Babcock, A. W, 
Longley, Amory Carter, Daniel H. Carter, Thomas 
Pollard, Amory Pollard, Addison Keyes, Eli Sawyer, 
Jr., Jabez Goddard, Willard M. Wheeler, D. P. Hart- 
well, E. C. Shattiick, William G. Hapgood, John 
Hapgood, Levi Babcock, Francis Babcock, Ebenezer 
Dailey. 

MILLS AND MILL OWNERS. 

The first mill built in town was the saw-mill of 
Philip Larkin, built on the brook west of George H. 
Barnes', about 1735. Parts of the old dam still re- 
main. 

The mills at the south part were built by William 
Goddard, the ancestor of the Berlin Goddards, about 
1 760. This was the most expensive mill in town, on 
account of the long dam. 

The first mill at the west part was built by John 
Butler 1750. He sold to John Pollard about 1756. 
It stood some rods above the railroad bridge. Was 
later rebuilt below the bridge, the present site, by 
Aaron Pollard. The upper mill was built by Thomas 
Pollard for his son vStephen. He lived on the Moran 
place. 

Some small shops built at various times in differ- 
ent parts have disappeared, namely, the Conant shop 
for the manufacture of doors, sash and blinds, which 
stood on the Coburn brook, below the road to the west 
part. 



■96 HISTORY OF THE 

Amory Carter had a shop for like purpose on 
the brook below Algernon Cartwright's. Peregrine 
Wheeler had a shingle mill on the outlet to Gates' 
pond, just north of Elias Wheeler's, as also on the 
,same stream Amory vSawyer on the present Nathan- 
iel Wheeler place had a shop for the making of sash 
and blinds. 

Amos Meriam had a ,gi-ist-mill just south of his 
house (Richard Wheeler's). John Wheeler had 
some mills partly completed at New Worcester (so- 
called) about 1850. 

MILLWRIGHTS. 

Josiah Conant and his son Benjamin F. were both 
excellent millwrights, and had a shop on the Coburn 
brook. The same is now M. Burke's barn. Willard 
M. Wheeler is another grood millwrig^ht and inventor 
of water wheels. 

WHEELWRIGHTS. 

Ziba Keyes was a thorough workman at the craft, 
and had a shop at the west part. The building now is 
near the town pound. His sons, Henry F. and John 
G. Keyes, now of Clinton, had formerly a shop on 
the Clinton road, near the present Parker shoe shop. 
Lewis J. Jewett was a maker of vehicles in Carter- 
ville, 1860-70. 

MASONS. 

Josiah Wilson was probably the first in town, 
1 7 5 2-70. Later Luther Carter worked at the trade ; 
was the inventor of plastered houses on the outside. 
Thomas Pollard and Amory Carter worked at the 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



97 



business occasionally. At the present time we have 
Alonzo F. Green and Adin B. Allen. 

WIRE DRAWING. 

This industry was carried on by Caleb Houghton 
and Joel Dakin in the northwest part of the town 
about 1810. The shop was on the brook back of 
Houghton's house. 

TANNING.* 

Just west of Carterville was once a tannery of 
moderate dimensions. 

POTASH. 

Samuel Jones, Jr., had a potash kiln in 1795 on 
the lower corner of the Hudson and Northboro roads. 

COMB MAKING. 

John Wheeler manufactured combs on the present 

Thomas Berry place. The first shop was burned about 

1828. He built another, which finally was moved 

.nd converted into a house for Mrs. Melissa Merrill. 

WOOL CARDING. 
This industry was carried on by Stephen Shepherd 
at the upper mill at the west part about 1830. 

PATENT MEDICINE AND EXTRACTS. 

Dr. E. Hartshorn established the business here 
about 1855. Removed the business to Boston 1872, 
where it is still carried on by his son, William H. 

HAT MANUFACTORY. 

Tyler & Martin made hat bodies at upper mill, 
west part, 1834. 

*This tannery appears to have been built and occupied early in the century by 
Aaron Barnes. He was succeeded in 1S24 by Daniel and John Gage, brothers, and 
they by Uockwood & Brightman, 1S30, and later Reuben Gates and some others 
were engaged in the business. The leather was of hemlock and oak tannage, 
and was largely for the retail trade. A little pond is indicated by the part of the 
dam still remaininar above the works. 



98 HISTORY OF 'I HE 

INNS AND INNKEEPERS. 

Samuel Jones, Jr., known as Land-'ord Jones, was 
tlie first innkeeper in town. His house stood on the 
north side of the Hudson road, facing the road to 
Northboro, built 1 749. He died 1 797 and his real 
estate was sold to Solomon Howe of Marlboro 1 804. 
Howe bought the Bullard house 1803, which had 
previously been owned by John Dexter and John and 
Moses Pollard. He kept tavern here until he built a 
tavern and store building, where Dea. Peters' house 
now stands. The business was continued here by 
William A. Howe, James E. Woods, Haman Hunt, 
Dexter B. vSaunders and R. vS. Hastings until 1852, 
when the building was moved to its present location. 

The house now owned by P. B. Southwickin Carter- 
ville, built by Luther Carter about 1830, was for a 
few years used for an inn. 

The Belmont House, which stood on the site of the 
present Unitarian parsonage, was occupied for hotel 
purposes from 1868 to September, 1883, when it was 
burned. This was originally built by Solomon Hough- 
ton 1820, and was occupied by Dr. Griggs. Later 
was enlarged by Josiah Bride for a boarding house 
for his scholars, and lastly converted into a hotel. 
The occupants were: John Draper, Calvin Carter, 
Fred Wheelock, W. A. Webber and James McFarland. 

The house recently known as the Berlin Hotel was 
formerly known as the Esquire Meriam place ; later was 
called the Ellis place and town farm. Was prob- 
ably built by Levi Meriam, Sr., about 1780. Was 
converted into a hotel 1885 by Peter O'Toole of Clin- 
ton. Has had various proprietors ; part of the time 
unoccupied. 




BELMONT HOUSE. 




THE OLD DANIEL WHEELER HOUSE. 




SAM JONES" INN, 1749. 




POWDER HOUSE, 1814. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 99 

STORES AND STOREKEEPERS. 

The first store of which we have any account was 
kept in the old Bullard house. Solomon Howe had 
a store there about 1802. He was preceded by John 
Dexter and he by John and Moses Pollard. John 
Pollard was the first in town. The next store was 
on the site of Dea. Peters' house, which was moved 
to its present location (Mrs. R. S. Hastings) 1852. 
This, in the different locations, has been kept by 
Solomon Howe, his son William A., James E. 
Woods, Haman Hunt, Dexter B. Saunders, R. S. 
Hastings, Riley Smith, E. S. Moore, and Christopher 
S. White, the present proprietor. This was a place 
of considerable trade before Marlboro, Hudson and 
Clinton grew to such large proportions and absorbed 
so much of the trade. It is reported on good au- 
thority that in the early times sixty hogsheads of 
rum were sold in town yearly. 

In summer's heat and in winter's cold, 
Like a charm it worked, as I am told; 
Ten gallons oft I've heard them say 
Was often used to get the hay. 
Excuse we must these men of toil, 
Who redeemed for us this rugged soil, 
Who from early morn till late at night 
Dug and delved with all their might. 

The next store in point of time was one at the 
west part The town voted 1820 to sell a piece of 
land to Stephen Shepherd and Timothy Dwight. 
This was the site of the house of George H. Felton, 
a part of the school yard, and was erected for pur- 
pose of store and dwelling. Stephen Shepherd and 
Dwight and Stephen Moore were traders here until 



lOO HISTORY OF THE 

1826, and were succeeded by Waldo Winter till 1830, 
and he was followed by Josephus Wilder, Levi Goss, 
George Woods and Minot Hastings, and finally by 
John F. Newton. The present West Berlin depot 
was built for a store and formerly stood where the 
flagman's house now is. It was built by Daniel 
Barnes on land claimed by Aaron Pollard. The 
claim was contested in suit at law. 

Into this new building John F. Newton moved 
from the old and was succeeded by C. C. Carter, who 
moved back again, and he finally was followed by 
Riley Smith for a few months. Silas R. Carter is 
the present storekeeper at the west part, in the build- 
ing built by himself about 1870. 

The store in Carterville was built by Luther Car- 
ter 1846, and was occupied first by Ezra S. Moore, 
then by Samuel M. Fuller till 1875, and finally by 
John A. Merrill, who has occupied the premises since. 
Thomas Pollard was in company with Moore about 
1856. 

In the south part there was a grocery store kep't 
by John A. Goddard in the house now owned by Ed- 
ward P. Hastings about 1854. In 1858-9 William 
Bassett kept for sale groceries in the old Parks house. 
In i860 the building known as the Union Store was 
built on the corner nearby James Hastings'. It was 
used as a Protective Union store a few years and 
then converted into a shoe shop, and was finally 
burned. On the opposite corner the Hastings Bros. 
(Ruthven and Arthur) built the store now standing 
there. They continued in occupancy until 1890, 
when they sold to Laselle & Walter, the present pro- 
prietors. 




THE OLD EAST SCHOOL-HOUSE, 1792. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. lOl 

EDUCATIONAL. 
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL-HOUSES. 

The excision of our territory from Bolton, 1784, 
necessitated a new arrangement of the schools, 
hence nearly the first work of the district, 1785, was 
to divide the inhabitants into four squadrons for 
school purposes. The old school-houses, under the 
new order of things, were illy located for the con- 
venience of the people. Besides, they were of cheap 
construction and in a dilapidated condition at this 
time, and were soon sold, and new houses of better 
style and convenience were built by the town, or 
district, as it then was called. The exact location 
of the old houses, built when we were of Bolton, are 
unknown; one stood near Edward Flagg's. In 1792 
the town built four new school-houses, one in each 
squadron — north, south, east and west. There was 
no school in the centre of the town until 1835, when 
a fifth district was formed, after a prolonged struggle 
and much wrangling in town nieetings. The four 
new school-houses were built after one model — the 
typical old red school-house of New England. The 
dimensions were 18x22, and were located, as ap- 
pears by record, thus : One at a stake and stones near 
William Pollard's house, another at stake and stones 
near Nathan Johnson's house, another at a stake and 
stones near John Bruce's house, and the other at a 
stake and stones between Esquire Fairbank's and 
David Southwick's, on Jona. Meriam's land. The 
town grant for building was about ^^170, or about 
$850. The house near John Bruce's, in the east 
district, was enlarged, some vears after, eight feet 



I02 HISTORY OF THE 

in length. It stood longer than any of the others 
on the original spot, and was burned by an incendi- 
ary in the summer of 1894. 

RESIDENTS IN EACH DISTRICT, MARCH 20, 1 835. EAST. 

Levi Sawyer, Amory Wetherbee, Josiah Sawyer, 
George W. Sawyer, Rufus Howard, Asa Sawyer, 
Silas Sawyer, 2d, Thomas Sawyer, Asa Bride, Jarvis 
Wheeler, Sewall Bruce, Sylvanus Bruce, Abram 
Bigelow, Jonas Hale, Amory Carter, Silas Sawyer, 
Abram Sawyer, Oliver Sawyer, Lewis Sawyer, Hor- 
ace Bigelow, Ira Brigham, Moses Dudley, Samuel 
S. Dudley, Henry Brown, Daniel Holder, Thomas 
Holder, John Holder, Luke Fosgate, Joel Fosgate, 
Rhoda Bigelow, Sarah Holder, Amity Wheeler, 
Meriam Wheeler. Only two now living. 

SOUTH. 

Timothy Jones, Paltiah Jones, Ephraim Goddard 
(Levi Wheeler's estate), Levi Wheeler, Jesse Wheeler, 
Stephen Wheeler, Rufus Priest, Ephraim Hastings, 
Sawyer Hastings, Zenas Johnson, George W. May- 
nard, Joseph Park, Russell Park, Anne Johnson, 
Anna Park, Calvin Smith, Calvin Smith, Jr., Job 
Spofford, Benjamin F. Spofford, Amos Sawyer, 
George Brigham, Amory Holman, Dexter Fay, Pere- 
grine Wheeler, Maverick Johnson, Lewis Barnard. 
None now living. 

WEST. 

Stephen Pollard, Ephraim Babcock, Jr., Thomas 
Brigham, Jonah Houghton, Ephraim Babcock, Reu- 
ben Hastings, Oliver Moore, Elijah Edson, William 
Bartlett, Ira Sawyer, William Babcock, 2d, vSolomon 



TOWN OF BERLIN. IO3 

Greene, Abram Babcock, Lewis Carter, Alvin Bab- 
cock, Albert Babcock, John Larkin, John F. Larkin, 
James E. Wood, Ziba Keyes, Rnfus Carter, Danforth 
Carter, Luke Whitcomb, William Barnes, Josiah 
Babcock, Daniel Holbrook, Oliver H. Barnard, 
Leonard Hartwell, William Fife, Jr., Thomas Hil- 
dreth, Ephraim Howe, Ephraim Howe, Jr., Benjamin 
Whitcomb, Leander Pierce, Oliver Stone, Ebenezer 
S. Sawtelle, Hannah Jewett. Two now living. 

NORTH. 

Luther Carter, Daniel Carter (tan yard and build- 
ings), Daniel Bartlett, Samuel and Emerson Spofford, 
John Wheeler, Daniel Wheeler, Jacob Goddard, 
Joseph Moore, Roswell Bliss, Amos Wheeler, Lewis 
L Bass, Alonzo Wood, Stephen S. Southwick, Oliver 
Young, Sanderson Carter, Ivory Carter, William 
Babcock, Levi Bartlett, John Powers, Henry Powers, 
Rufus Sawyer, Edwin Bothrick, Alden Sawyer. None 
now living. 

CENTRE. 

Ira Carter, William vSawyer, Micah R. Ball, Oliver 
Fosgate, Silas Houghton, Josiah Bride, William A. 
Howe, David R. Lamson, Jonathan D. Meriam, 
Lewis H. Johnson, John L. S. Thompson, Ebenezer 
S. Clarke, Josiah Conant, Amos Sawyer, Jr., Joel 
Bullard, Hollis Johnson, Jonathan Bartlett, vSilas 
Fairbank, William A. Sawyer, Philo M. Ellis, John 
Bartlett, Ira Brigham, James Goddard, Jr., William 
Jones, Levi Bruce, James Goddard, Jacob Felton, 
Jesse Wood, Benjamin Cofran, Simeon Bowman, 
Francis Balch, Timothy Bailey, Benjamin F. Bailey, 
Silas Bailey, David Keyes, Abel Sawyer, Josiah Ben- 



I04 HISTORY OF THE 

nett, Jolin F. Newton, Paul Brigham, Aziibah Brig- 
ham, Sibel Brigham, Levi Houghton, Henry H. Bliss, 
Susan and Amelia Johnson. All gone but one. 

WFST SCHOOL- HOUSE. 

In 1836 the west district built a new brick school- 
house. It stood at the railroad crossing by the road to 
Moran's. The north district built a school-house on 
the east side of the road about 1830. 

The first school-house in the centre district was 
built in 1836, was used twenty years, then sold, and 
is now the house of Joseph Staples. 

These six houses, including the brick one in the 
west and the new one at the north, subserved the 
uses of the town from the time of their erection to 
1857, when the present houses were built. The pres- 
ent east school-house originally stood on the site of 
Frank H. Grossman's house; was moved 1881 to 
accommodate families nearer Hudson. The new 
houses were built on the most improved models, and 
were considered the best patterns of excellence and 
convenience then known. The houses first built 
were the north and south. Both cost $2,785 ; the 
east cost $1,360.25 ; the centre, $1,500.40; the west, 
$1,358.45- 

THE HIGH SCHOOL. 

About 1875 the increase in the number of scholars 
in the centre district so increased as to necessitate 
additional school accommodations. The want was 
supplied by utilizing "Barnes' hall," so-called, for 
the purpose, and the more advanced from all the 
districts attended this. The high school closed 
1879. The school district system, which had been in 



TOWN OF BERLIN. IO5 

•existence since 1836, was abolished by vote of town 
April I, 1856. 

THE BERLIN ACADEMY. 

The founder of the Berlin Academy was Josiah 
Bride, a self-educated man, who never had a day's 
schooling in academy or college, but attended Marl- 
boro high school. He began teaching classes in 
the old Town House about 1835. With commend- 
able energy and perseverance in study, he became 
proficient in the higher branches of an English edu- 
cation and was well mentally equipped to dis- 
charge the duties of principal of his academy. In 1 843 
he came in possession of the Evangelical Society's 
meeting-house and changed the same for school 
purposes. In connection with this he enlarged the 
Dr. Griggs house and converted it into a large 
boarding house, which stood where the Unitarian 
parsonage now stands ; was later used for a hotel and 
finally burned. The academy continued in success- 
ful operation till about 1857. The last two or three 
years it was under the management of Rev. Gardner 
Rice. 

THE BERLIN ACADEMICAL BOARDING SCHOOL. 

For a quarter of a century the " Academy " was 
the pride and glory of the townspeople. It had 
patrons from nearly every state in the Union, and 
also several from the Cuban isles. As nearly all 
these young people were from families of culture, 
and by the testimony of the assistant teacher, re- 
cently given, " came with a desire to learn," the 
intellectual and moral stimulus to the residents of 
the town was very noticeable. Nearly all the young 



I06 HISTORY OF THE 

people of the town were day pupils for longer or 
shorter periods, and to them, as to those from abroad, 
the influences of the faithful teaching received in 
Berlin has been lifelong. 

" I know that I am a better woman for being under such 
instruction and within the circle of such influence." 

" I have never ceased to be grateful for the kindly and 
wise interest manifested for me while a pupil in Mr. Bride's 
school. The instruction, the influence in various ways, has 
been a benediction to my whole life." 

Such testimony received from members of the 
school might be multiplied indefinitely. 

While we are glad that all can now enjoy the 
benefits of free high schools, we believe that for the 
full development of the mental, moral and physical 
man and woman, no institution has done more than 
the well managed co-educational home schools that 
were the pride of New England half a century ago. 

The academy grew from a small and modest be- 
ginning — the school founded by Josiah Bride in 1832 
or '33, in response to the wishes of parents whose 
children had been under his teaching in the district 
schools of South Berlin and Robin hill in Marl- 
boro. Thus solicited, he consented to open a 
private school in a room of Madam Puffer's house, 
on condition that each child bring a chair and stand 
or table for his or her own use, as he had no desks 
and dared not risk the necessary outlay to procure 
them, for fear the venture would fail. But the 
school grew and flourished, and in March, 1835, the 
town voted " to let Josiah Bride have the Town 
House to keep school in." 



TOWN OF BERLIN. IO7 

The number of pupils increased, and in 1843 Mr. 
Bride bought the building erected for the Orthodox 
Church, refitted as a school room, enlarged his 
boarding house, etc. 

At this time Miss Martha Chamberlain, a former 
pupil, was his efficient assistant, both in the house 
management and in the school room, although in a 
letter received only a few weeks before her death 
(Feb., 1895), she says: "Mine was the doing of the 
little thino^s with thouofht and care for the welfare 
of those around me, and hardly worthy to be called 
assistance." All who received that care bear heart- 
felt testimony to its value, and bless the Providence 
that placed them under the influence of a seemingly 
perfect life. 

Although the matter of co-education added some- 
what to the difficulty of management, it was a 
cardinal point of excellence with Mr. Bride, who was 
a lifelong believer in woman's right to all that is 
good in every department of life. His methods of 
discipline were often original and uniformly suc- 
cessful. 

At one time a worthy lad and lass, who were 
members of the school, evinced a liking for each 
other, which did not escape the keen eyes of the 
principal. The lad roomed alone in the extreme 
end of the L of the boarding house ; in this room 
was a large and cozy wardrobe. The favored lass 
sometimes, in the late evening hours, called at her 
friend's room. The principal had a peculiar method 
of clearing his throat, known as " Mr. Bride's hem," 
and some who read this will distinctly hear it again 
on the mental acoustics. One night, slowly ap- 



loS HISTORY OF THE 

preaching the room of the lad, he repeatedly gave 
the familiar hem. This to the lovers' hearts was a 
danger signal, and the lass was quickly shut in the 
wardrobe. A gentle tap was heard at the door ; the 
principal was ushered in, and, seating himself beside 
his pupil, in his most instructive manner made clear 
to him his difficult problems in geometry, his ob- 
scure translations in Latin, interlarding his assistance 
with entertaining story or moral lesson. The clock 
struck eleven, twelve, and one, apparently unnoticed 
by the teacher ; then came the hour of two, which 
fell on his ear in evident surprise. With an apology 
for detaining his pupil so long, he stepped to the 
wardrobe and opened the door, saying as he did so, 

in his blandest tones, " Miss , it is time for you 

to go to your room now." Thus ended the discipline 
and the wooing in that room. In similar original 
and quaint ways he ruled a realm as difficult 
sometimes to manage as a kingdom. 

Mr. Bride's labors did not end with his teaching. 
For many years, on the Town School Committee, 
he labored for the highest good of the public schools. 
As superintendent of the Orthodox Sunday school, 
he gave much tiine to the interests represented 
there. A constant attendant upon the worship of 
the sanctuary, his advent at the head of his family 
procession, numbering thirty or more, was watched 
for by the audience as an important event. There 
was in town no more liberal contributor to every 
•cause calculated to promote the welfare of the com- 
munity. He was not only the enthusiastic teacher, 
but the public-spirited citizen and the warm-hearted 
friend. His memory is fragrant with good. 



I 



TOWN OF BERLIN. IO9. 

SCHOOL FUNDS — PRIEST AND YOUNG MONEY. 

We have two funds, known as the Priest and 
Young money, the interest of which may be appro- 
priated for schooling. The former, given by Joseph 
Priest, Jr., 1817, amounts to $S20, and the latter, by 
Miss Nancy Young, 1859, $1,500. At a town meet- 
ing held March 4, 1861, the following resolves were 
passed in recognition of the generous gift of Miss 
Young : 

Resolved, By the citizens of Berlin, in town meeting assembled, 
that we gratefully acknowledge the free and generous bequest 
of Miss Nancy Young, lately deceased, by which she has se- 
cured to the town, for the benefit of common school education,, 
the sum of fifteen hundred dollars. 

Resolved, That we cherish with deep regard the memory of 
the friend of our youth, and that we inculcate a like remeai- 
brance of her name on the part of the rising generation. 

Resolved, That the foregoing be transcribed by the town 
clerk upon the public records as a standing memento of the 
deceased benefactress of the town. 

SCHOOL TEACHER<5. 

Dexter Fay, Jr. Wilder Sawyer. 

Jacob Moore. Humphrey Sawyer. 

Daniel Wheeler. P. B. Southwick. 

Albert Babcock. Ira O. Carter. 

Daniel Holder. Jonathan F. Wheeler. 

Asa Sawyer. Silas Greenleaf. 

Barnabas Fay. Addison G. Smith. 

George A. Getting. E. C. Shattuck. 

Josiah Bride. Amory A. Bartlett. 

Lewis Sawyer. Amasa A. Whitcomb. 

Oliver Barrett Sawyer. Lemuel Gott, Jr. 

Josiah Sawyer, 3d. Charles Keyes. 

Winthrop Bailey, Hattie Sawyer. 



XIO 



HISTORY OF THE 



Abbie Sawyer. 

Mary J. Keyes. 

Mary J. Smith. 

Ellen L. Keyes. 

Abigail Wilder. 

Sarah Sawyer (Mrs. L. Carter) 

Hannah Powers. 

Lucy Elizabeth Howe. 

Harriet Fay. 

Sarah Fay. 

Lucy F. Sawyer. 

Sophia R. Sawyer. 

Zilpah E. Fay. 

Lois Wheeler. 

Mary A. Bassett. 

Olive Boyce. 

Emma Boyce. 

Ellen Hastings. 

Mary E. Felton. 

Mary E. Gott. 

Phebe A. Holder. 



Mary H. Holder. 
Olive C. Wheeler. 
Lucy H. Wheeler. 
Sarah Smith Sawyer. 
Florence M. Bassett. 
Sarah Arissa Sawyer. 
Lizzie E. Merrill. 
Nellie Reed. 
Harriet Susan Fay. 
Minnie E. Fay. 
Cora Belle Holbrook. 
Ada Berry. 
Clara L. Shattuck. 
M. Isabelle C. Shattuck. 
Grace W. Stetson. 
Alice M. Rathbun. 
Lois H. Wheeler. 
NelUe Maynard. 
Lilla Newsome. 
Hope Rice. 
Emma A. Flagg. 



ECCLESL\STICAL. 



THE SOUTH PARISH AND THE FIRST MEEriNG-HOUSE, 
1778 TO 1830. 

The inhabitants of the south part of Bolton, in 
1778, moved by a common impulse, which was 
hastened undoubtedly by the ferment and rupture 
in the Bolton Church, known since as the Goss and 
Walley controversy, petitioned the General Court 
to be incorporated into a new parish. The distance 
of many members, from four to six miles, from the 
Bolton Church was a sufficient reason for asking for 
better church accommodations. The prayer of the 




THE FIRST MEETING-HOUSE. 




CENTRE VILLAGE FROM RICE'S HILL. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. Ill 

petitioners was granted by an act passed April 13 th, 

1778, and Samuel Baker, Esq., is empowered to issue 
his warrant to some principal inhabitant to call a 
meeting for permanent organization. Samuel Baker 
issues his warrant to Samuel Jones, innholder. At 
his house the inhabitants are summoned to meet 
April 7, 1779. On that spot our town was virtually 
bom. Samuel Jones' tavern stood fronting the 
Northboro road, on the north side of the road to 
Hudson. Samuel Baker was chosen Moderator ; 
Jonathan Meriam, Clerk; James Goddard, Abijah 
Pratt and Joshua Johnson, Parish Committee ; Jon- 
athan Meriam, Timothy Jones and William Sawyer, 
Jr., Assessors. One week later the parish took 
measures for building a meeting-house, and voted to 
locate it on the Little hill on the north side of the 
road that leads from Samuel Jones' house to Samuel 
Rice's shop in the crotch of the roads. There was no 
Common then. The road to Bolton turned by our 
present Town House. It was a blacksmith's shop and 
stood where A. A. Bartlett's house now is and was 
previously owned by David Rice, one of the first 
settlers near the middle of the town. The Little 
hill was considerably in front of the present church edi- 
fice. Esquire Meriam could not persuade the Build- 
ing Committee of the new church to set it so high 
as it now stands. He conspired with William A. 
Howe, and in the night they secretly lifted the stand- 
ards one full foot. Look at the Common and the 
height of the underpinning of the church, and you 
will see what became of that " Little hill." The 
frame of the first meeting-house was raised June 16, 

1779, by aid, as usual, of "rum," " cider " and " spike 



112 HISTORY OF THE 

poles." It was twelve years in building, and there 
was voted from time to time hundreds and thousands 
in the depreciated currency of the times to build that 
humble house of prayer. The Building Committee 
were Jonathan Meriam, Fortunatus Barnes, James 
Goddard, Sr., Timothy Jones, William Sawyer^ 
Second Committee: Jacob Moore, Barnabas May- 
nard, Henry Powers, William Babcock. 

In the meantime " candidates " were heard — Revs. 
M, Stearns, Foster and Edmunds. November 14, 

1780, voted to hear Mr. Reuben Puffer. March 12, 

1 78 1, Mr. Puffer was "called." No objections. 
" Ordination to be out of the meeting-house if the 
weather permit." The ordination took place Nov. 
26, 1 78 1, under an oak tree easterly of the meeting- 
house, all the old folks say. Certainly there is some- 
thing inspiring in the faith and labors of the fathers, 
under the depression and uncertainties of war, to press 
forward in their circumstances, not to say poverty, 
to establish the ordinances, of religion. The council 
for ordination consisted of the churches in Sudbury, 
East Sudbury, Westboro, Shrewsbury, Northboro, 
Lancaster, Bolton and Stow. Rev. Mr. Bigelow of 
Sudbury, Mr. Puffer's pastor, preached the sermon. 
Mr. Puffer's presence and ministry seemed to be quite 
helpful to his struggling parish. No church meet- 
ing was called for nearly two years. He certainly 
grew in the esteem of Berlin people and all the 
region ; every congregation was pleased to see him 
ascend the pulpit steps. It was not a day for entic- 
ing away favorite ministers, but it was understood 
that he had favorable overtures. His sennons were 
not especially arousing, but solemnly impressive. In 



1^ ,-^/s '/^ 




TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 13 

1803 he preached the annual sermon before the 
governor and Legislature, An anecdote concerning 
him was published in print in the Lancaster "Two 
Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary." The writer of 
this is responsible for its appearance in type. He 
gave it verbally that morning to the speaker, who 
gave it in response for Berlin in the after-dinner 
speeches. Judge Brigham of Westboro had pro- 
cured the appointment of Mr. Puffer to the service. 
His son-in-law, E. M. Phillips, Esq., of Westboro, 
gave the anecdote to the writer personally. Accord- 
ing to custom, Mr. Puffer had all parts of his service 
written, even the prayer. In offering it he lost his 
bearings ; he tried to regain his ground, but only 
stumbled; the suspense was awful. A fellow mem- 
ber gave Judge Brigham a nudge, whispering, "That 
is your minister, is it ? " The disconcerted minister 
had the courage to desert his written prayer and to 
throw himself into the occasion, and the suspense of 
the assembly quickly gave way to rapt attention and 
delight. His own people, better than any other who 
did not hear him on this occasion, could tell what 
the effect was. He lifted his learned and dignified 
audience to exalted views of their position and duties 
to the state and to God. The prayer ended. Judge 
Brigham returned the nudge of his neighbor, re- 
sponding, " That is my minister." Berlin ever had 
great satisfaction in Dr. Puffer abroad. His church 
records show that he ranked with foremost ministers 
in councils, far and near, on difficult cases. To this 
day friends and dissentients as to religious tenets 
revere the "man of God." His face, his features 
and form and manner are fast passing out of re- 



114 HISTORY OF THE 

membrance. "Shall we know each other there?" 
Not even a profile remains, much less the tones of 
his voice and impressive pulpit services ; — a few of 
the venerables yet talk it over understanding-ly. 
Some yet live who have seen him and can readily 
believe what has been related. But the most vivid 
impression which we septuagenarians have of the 
man is that of his pulpit devotions. Daniel ? Solo- 
mon ? Elijah ? No, Bethel and Jacob. As with 
awe he lifted his face heavenward and bowed 
again his whole body in reverence, incense from 
the altar above seemed to pervade the assembly, — 

Heaven seemed bending, earth to rise, 
All seemed floating in upper skies. 

Dr. Puffer delivered the Dudlean lecture at Har- 
vard College 1808. His pecuniary circumstances 
being made known, his address was published and 
sold among the students, rich men's sons subscribing 
largely to increase the income. They also gave him 
a good new suit of clothes. (Rev. Dr. Allen.) 

The great ecclesiastical rupture, or schism, in the 
churches, between Unitarians and Trinitarians, was 
pressing upon this quiet town, before steps were 
taken for a new house of worship. Yet it was inti- 
mated the new church would have a new order of 
things (when he should resign or cease from his 
labors), but no tongue moved against the minister. 
The pastor foresaw more than the people expressed. 
He hardly expected to escape the rupture in his life- 
time, but he lived to dedicate the new church, 1826, 
and to preach and pray there till near his death, 
April 9, 1829, at the age of seventy-three years. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. H5 

At a town meeting held at the east school-house, 
May 5, 1828, the Selectmen were chosen a com- 
mittee "to consult Doct. Puffer concerning his 
exchanges." The intention, undoubtedly, was to 
ascertain his position in relation to the new de- 
parture. The report of the committee [was made 
at a town meeting held at the north school-house, 
Nov. 3, 1828, and the same was the reply of Dr. 
Puffer to a request for him to exchange with neigh- 
boring Unitarian ministers. Report : — 
To the ifihab Hants of Berlin in town meeting assembled Nov. 3, 
1828 : 

" Brethren and Friends : — Having been notified by the 
Selectmen of the vote of the town last May, relative to my 
future exchanges, I beg leave, respectfully, to state that pre- 
vious to the measures for calling the town meeting, I had no 
knowledge of the existence of any uneasiness on the subject of 
exchanges. From Sabbath to Sabbath I meet a full house and 
a very attentive audience, and if ever a special blessing has at- 
tended my labors among you, it was during the past season. 
Judge, then, of the surprise when I heard for the first time that a 
general uneasiness was prevailing, and that the subject of it was 
preparing to be laid before the town. 

"Respecting my future exchanges, I can very cheerfully sub- 
rait the quesdon to candid decision if a minister between 
seventy and eighty years of age is a fit subject of the vote of 
last May. Aside from other considerations, such are my in- 
firmities, known only to a few of you, as render it improper for 
me to give any pledge in the case. It is well known that up to 
the present year I have uniformly maintained a free and liberal 
intercourse with all the ministers in the vicinity. For the future 
I can only say that while I sustain the highly responsible office 
of a gospel minister, the few exchanges I make, if able to make 
any, shall be regulated according to my deliberate judgment, in 
a manner the best calculated to promote your spiritual inter- 



ri6 HISTORY OF THE 

ests. My Christian friends, it is now almost fifty years since 
by the unanimous invitation of the parents and grandparents of 
the present generation I became the minister of this place, and 
then received a solemn charge and gave a solemn promise to 
preach the everlasting gospel of Jesus in its distinguishing 
truths and doctrines. These truths and doctrines I have en- 
deavored faithfully to preach, and can it now be expected in 
my old age that I should preach another gospel or give coun- 
tenance to different causes? You will certainly not say that 
this can reasonably be expected or required of me, as in so doing 
I should risk my own soul and the souls of those who hear me. 
Far be it from me willingly to offend a single individual. So far 
as consistent with duty I wish to please all, but great is my re- 
sponsibility, and I may not, I dare not, for the sake of pleasing 
men, displease God. As my first sermon was preached in this 
place, it is my desire that my ministerial life may close here, but 
I wish not to be a useless burden. It may be that my minis- 
tering can be no longer profitable, and if so, I have no desire 
for its continuance. My heart's desire and prayer for you has 
been, and is, that pure religion may prosper and flourish in this 
place. To promote an object so truly valuable, I will not de- 
cline any reasonable sacrifice if the cause of religion so require 
and I can by resigning the ministerial office facilitate the settle- 
ment of a faithful servant of Christ here, one who shall not 
shun to declare all the counsel of God and who willingly will 
spend and be spent for your sakes, I shall esteem it one of the 
happiest events of my life. Nothing better can I ask of you 
than that the gospel of Christ may never cease to be preached 
to you in its purity, simplicity and power, but this is a subject 
which demands the most deliberate and prayerful considera- 
tion before a step of this nature is taken. Let it be our united 
fervent supplication that nothing may be done inconsistent with 
the interests of Zion and the salvation of immortal souls; so 
prays your aged and affectionate minister, 

"Reuben Puffer." 
November meeting, 1S28. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. IT 7 

No other move appears to have been made by the 
parish or church in the matter of exchanges, and Dr. 
Puffer was undoubtedly free from the importunities 
of committees on this subject during the remainder 
of his life. With the death of Dr. Puffer closes the 
first period of the ecclesiastical history of Berlin, ex- 
tending from 1778 to 1829, a time of great tranquil- 
lity and peace in the church, free from theological 
disputes and religious animosities. 

THE SECOND PERIOD. 

Soon after the death of Dr. Puffer the subject of 
his successor began to be agitated in earnest. The 
town, which was the parish at this time, was largely 
in favor of the new school of theology, while the 
church was nearly unanimous for the old school. 
The church made the first move towards settling a 
new minister, as will appear from the following com- 
munication to the town May 24, 1829: — 

THE church's request OF THE TOWN. 

To the in]iabitants of the town of. Berlin in town meeting 
assembled : 
Gentlemen : — At a meeting of the church of Berlin on 
the 2 2d instant at the house of Mrs. Puffer, they proceeded 
as follows : Voted unanimously that in our opinion the Rev. 
Moses B. Church is a man of sound piety, good talents, and 
preaches the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ the same as our 
deceased pastor preached, and that we wish he may continue 
amongst us longer as a candidate, if agreeable to the town. 
Voted unanimously that the above be communicated to the 
town when assembled in town meeting. 

Job Spofford, Moderator of the Church. 
A true copy attest : Dexter Fay, Church Clerk. 

Berlin, August 22, 1829. 



Il8 HISTORY OF THE 

At a town meeting held August 24, 1829 : "Then voted not 
to grant the request of the church." "Then voted to choose 
a new committee." "Then chose the following persons 1 
Jonathan D. Meriam, William Barnes, Josiah Conant, Ephraim 
Babcock, John Bartlett." 

January 4, 1S30, at East School-house. 

Article 2d. To see if the Congregational Society of Berlin 
will give Mr. Robert F. Walcott an invitation to become their 
pastor. If so, on what terms they will agree to settle him, or 
act anything relative to further supplying the pulpit in the 
meeting-honse. On the above article voted by yeas and nays, 
sixty in the affirmative and twenty-eight in the negative. . 

An invitation to the church of Berlin, January, 1830 : 

To the members of the Church of Christ in Berlin, who are 
inhabitants of the toivn of Berlin: 

We, the subscribers, appointed at a town meeting on 
Monday last as a committee to invite you to unite with 
the town in the settlement of Mr. Robert Folger Walcott 
as our Christian minister, if he shall accept our invita- 
tion, we embrace the earliest opportunity to communicate this 
invitation, while we are happy thus to invite you in behalf of 
our fellow-citizens. We assure you it will afford us sincere per- 
sonal gratification to receive from you an affirmative answer, 
and that we may hope to know from joyful experience how 
good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in 
unity. We ask as a favor that we may receive your answer on 
or before Thursday, the 14th instant, at 2 o'clock p. ini., either 
in writing or by delegation. We shall be in session at the 
house of Solomon Howe, Esq., Berlin, January 7, 1830. 

JONATHAN D. MERIAM, 
WILLIAM BARNES, 
JOSIAH CONANT, 
JOHN BARTLETT, 

Committee, 



TOWN OF BERLIN. II9 

Voted to choose a Committee of Nine to agree on some 
price to offer Mr. Walcott as a salary and report at this meet- 
ing. Then chose the following persons, viz. : Jonathan D. 
Meriam, William Barnes, Josiah Conant, John Bartlett, Amos 
Sawyer, Timothy Bailey, Silas Sawyer, William Babcock. 

After hearing the report of the committee, "voted to give 
Mr. Walcott $400 as an annual salary." If there should be a 
separation desired by the Congregational Society or by the Rev. 
Mr. Walcott, it can be obtained by giving four months' notice, 

"Then voted to choose a committee of five to inform Mr. 
Walcott of the proceedings of the town at this meeting and to 
invite Mr. Walcott to settle with us in the ministry ; also to 
have him give an answer previous to adjournment of this meet- 
ing. Then chose the following persons : Jonathan D. Mer- 
iam, William Barnes, Josiah Conant, Ephraim Babcock, John 
Bartlett. 

"Then voted that this committee wait on the church and in- 
vite them to unite with us in the settlement of Mr. Walcott, 
and to obtain an answer before the adjournment of this meet- 
ing. Then adjourned to meet at the north school-house the 
iSth instant." 

THE church's answer TO THE TOWN. 

At a meeting of the Church of Christ in Berlin on Monday 
the 7th instant, voted unanimously to make the following com- 
munication to the Parochial Committee of the town : 

Gentlemen : We received a communication from you con- 
taining an invitation to unite with you in the settlement of Mr. 
Robert F. Walcott, in which a wish also was expressed that we 
might dwell together in unity. We can assure you if we know 
our own hearts that your desire to live together m unity is not 
greater than ours. Unity is the bond of peace. There is not 
anything on earth but what we would give up to preserve unity 
with all our brethren, but the religion of our Lord Jesus 
Christ — our religion — we hold too dear to part with, and we 
feel assured that should we disregard the solemn covenant 



I20 HISTORY OF THE 

which we have made with our God, and attempt to bring down 
the standard of religion so low that there was nothing in it to 
which the natural heart could not assent, we should give up 
that on which all our hopes of heaven depend, and should go 
to the judgment seat of Christ, charged with the blood of 
souls, and our children rise up in judgment against us and con- 
demn us. We deeply deplore the present unhappy division 
amongst us respecting the settlement of a minister, and would 
cheerfully unite with the town if we could consistently. But we 
believe it to be our indispensable duty to maintain and support 
the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, being the same which 
Christ Himself, the Apostles and the Pilgrim fathers preached, 
and which has been preached in this town for forty-eight years. 
In looking over the sermon delivered at the dedication 
of our meeting house, we find and take the liberty to 
insert the following sentences verbatim : ''If some of the doc- 
trines of the gospel are suppressed and others so modified as 
not to militate with the feelings of the corrupt heart, no good 
is to be expected. Repentance, faith and holiness with every 
moral and social virtue are matter of initiation in the Christian 
tabernacle and compose no inconsiderable portion of its 
duties, but these must not exclude the fundamental truths of 
the gospel. No doubt it is your wish that this house may be 
to you the gate of heaven. That it may be so, let it be your 
care that the doctrine of salvation by faith in the blood of 
Christ and His regenerating spirit be the basis of its ministra- 
tions. If ever the time shall come, which heaven forbid, when 
this doctrine shall cease to be taught here, when it shall be 
supplanted by a lax theology which sinks the gospel nearly 
down to a level with natural religion, you will have lost sight 
of the object for which this house is consecrated; but sooner 
let the stone cry out of the wall and the beam out of the tim- 
bers answer it, than the honor of the Redeemer and the purity 
of His gospel shall cease to be maintained here." In our 
Thanksgiving sermon of 1828 is the following remark: 
"When persons can conscientiously say that they are not fed 



TOWN OF BERLIN, I2t 

with the bread of eternal life and that hunger for more spiritual 
food, let them enjoy the liberty of going where it is to be ob- 
tained, but from lower motives separations are not justified." 

We think our views of the subject harmonize with the gen- 
eral sentiment of the Bible, one passage of which we will quote, 
2d Epistle of John, 9th, loth and nth verses : "Whosoever 
transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not 
God : he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath 
both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you and 
bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, nor 
bid him God speed. For he that biddeth him God speed is 
partaker of evil deeds." In view of the above remarks and of 
the solemn account we must render at the judgment seat of 
Christ, we are constrained to say that in our humble opinion 
Mr. Robert F. Walcott does not preach the gospel of Christ ; we 
respect him as a man and a citizen, but can not receive him as 
our minister. We wish just to say further that the manner in 
which Mr. Walcott has been called to the gospel ministry is 
new and unexampled. It has been the custom for many ages 
for the church first to give the invitation and for the town to 
concur if they see fit. 

It is very desirable that the church and society should be 
united, but there is no account in the Bible of bishops, elders, 
or ministers being set over towns or parishes, but over churches. 

May God in the plenitude of His mercy unite our hearts in 
Christ, and that peace and harmony which have characterized 
this place be restored and enjoyed for many years to come. 

Job Spofford, Moderator. 
A true copy attest : Dexter Fay, Church Clerk. 

Berlin, January 11, 1830. 

TOWN MEETING JANUARY 1 8, 183O. 

First. Read Mr. Walcott's answer to the town. 
Second. Read the answer from the church to the town. 
Then voted to choose a committee to make arrangements 
for the ordination of Rev. Mr. Walcott ; chose the following 



122 HISTORY OF THE 

persons : Jonathan D. Meriam, Esq., Amos Sawyer, William 
Barnes, Ephraim Babcock, Silas Sawyer, Josiah Conant, Job 
Spofford, James Goddard, John Bartlett. 

Then voted that this committee designate the churches in 
behalf of the town that shall be invited to take a part in the 
ordination. They designated the following churches and were 
accepted : 

Dr. Bancroft, C. of Worcester ; Dr. Thayer, C. of Lancas- 
ter ; Rev. Mr. Allen, C. of Bolton ; Rev. Mr. Bucklin, C. of 
Marlboro ; Rev. Mr. Alden, C. of Marlboro ; Rev. Mr. Allen, 
C. of Northboro ; Rev. Mr. Russell, C. of Boylston. 

They then voted that Mr. Walcott be ordained on Wednes- 
day, the loth day of February, in the year of our Lord one 
thousand eight hundred and thirty. 

The action of the town in settling- Mr. Walcott 
caused a secession of a large part of the church, leav- 
ing but one male member, Sanderson Carter, and 
three females constituting the church to occupy the 
new meeting-house thereafter, as the First Congre- 
gational Society of Berlin. The seceders formed a 
new organization named th-e Evangelical Congrega- 
tional Society of Berlin. They built in 1830 a new 
meeting-house of moderate dimensions, which was 
afterwards known as the Berlin Academy, the princi- 
pal of which was Josiah Bride. Thishouse was con- 
veyed by deed from Dexter Fay and Amory Sawyer 
to the Evangelical Congregational vSociety of Berlin, 
March 25, 1831. Consideration $1,300. "It was for 
the worship of the Trmne God and the promotion of 
evangelical principles." 

The grantees named as members of this society 
were: James Goddard, Oliver Sawyer, Luke Fos- 
gate, Isaac Temple, Job vSpofford, John Larkin, Jacob 
Goddard, Joseph Parks, Levi Sawyer, Samuel Spof- 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



123 



ford, Merrick Houghton, Joseph Moore, John F. Lar- 
kin, Samuel Griggs, Phebe Puffer, Reuben Hastings, 
Ephraim Goddard, Thomas Holder, Josiah Bride, 
Jonah Houghton, Josiah Sawyer, Mendell G. Fos- 
gate, Almira Puffer, Lucy Fosgate, Jonas Houghton, 
John Wheeler and Augustus Bigelow of Berlin ; also 
Benjamin Rice, Isaac Davis, Edward B. Ball, Lewis 
Fay and Alvan Ball of Northboro ; also Ebenezer 
Ball of Worcester and Willard Brigham of Marlboro. 
The history of the First Congregational Society is 
briefly told, while the seceders, or Evangelical Society, 
which eventually became in fact and in name the First 
Congregational Parish and Society, requires more ex- 
tended space. The first of these organizations named 
which held the old meeting-house first, requires our 
attention. The Rev. Mr. Walcott was from Nan- 
tucket, of a prominent family and a graduate of Har- 
vard ; was a cultured and scholarly man. He con- 
tinued in the pastorate with good acceptance until 
he resigned, November, 1833. He was succeeded by 
Rev. David R. Lampson, who continued here from 
1833 to 1839. After this latter date the First So- 
ciety had no settled minister until 1 843, when a union 
was made of the two parishes. The principal cause 
which contributed to this union of the two parishes 
probably was the want of financial support. The 
burden was heavy on a few, hence mutual overtures 
were made on the part of the two parishes for re- 
union. This was effected in the settlement of Rev. 
Henry Adams (Orthodox), former pastor of Hillside 
Church, Bolton. 

The Congregational Church was remodeled in 
1859 ^t an expense of $2,439.90. 



S200 


00 


lOO 


00 


200 


00 


500 


00 


50 


00 


500 


00 


500 


00 


2,000 


00 


1,000 


00 


1,300 


00 



124 HISTORY OF THE 

DONATIONS TO THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SAB- 
BATH SCHOOL TRUST FUNDS. 

1866. Mrs. Sarah Robbins, 

1874. Miss Sophia R. Sawyer, . 

1880. Mrs. Almira P. Hastings, 

1880, Mrs. Lydia Howe Peters, 

1883. Miss Martha A. Sawyer, 

1 89 1. Mrs. Rebecca Whitcomb, 

1891. Mrs. Lucy E. Hartshorn, 

1892. Mrs. Abra C. Houghton, 

1892. Mr. H. Gates' Sunday school, 

1893. ^^^' (jporge A. Cotting, 

The vote of the First Parish (Unitarian) for the 
settlement of Mr. Adams was twenty-two in favor 
and nine against, hence by this arrangement and the 
fact that a number of them "signed off" from the 
parish book, the Unitarians lost the control of the 
pulpit, and ceased to be distinctly an organized body 
until a revival of the dormant elements of this faith 
occurred 1 8 7 1 . Mr. Adams was installed October 2 5 , 
1843, and was dismissed 1853. The Evangelical 
Congregational, during their sojourn in their new 
chapel from 1830 to 1843, were ministered unto by 
divers ones. The first was Rev. Abraham C. Bald- 
win, a graduate of Bowdoin College and student of 
theology under Dr. Lyman Beecher, who preached 
the ordination sermon October 26, 1830. In Mr. 
Baldwin's ministry of two years, forty-six were added 
to the church. He had more than ordinary qualities 
as preacher and pastor. Had he been quiet to re- 
main, very many have felt that he would have re- 
united the town effectively. He was dismissed from 
the church in Berlin, October 23, 1832. Both he and 



MINISTERS, DEACONS AND BENEFICIARIES OF THE ORTHODOX 

CHURCH. 











MUS. I)I,IVEI< FOSGATE. 

JOHN B. GOUGH. 

KEY. A. B. CHRISTY. 

KEY. H. F. MARKHAM. 



Al.UKKT HAliCOCK, 



DEA. U. II. BLI.S.S. 
MART11.\ .S.\WVEI<. 



MISS REBECCA WHIICOMB. 
MRS. GEO. A. COTTING. 

\VM. GATES. 
DEA. GEO. W. SAWVEU. 



ORTHODOX MINISTERS, DEACONS AND BENEFICIARIES. 

















LEVI BABCOCK, SUPT. S. S. MRS. L. PETERS. DEA. JOHN F. LARKIN. 

DEA. L. PETERS. MISS SOPHIA SAWYER. GEO. A. COTTING. 

REV. HENRY HYDE. MR. AND MRS. HORACE HOUGHTON. REV. CHAS. H. WASHBURN. 

CHAS. B. RATHBUN, SUPT. S. S. MISS CATHERINE LARKIN. CHAS. M. SAWYER, SUPT. S. S. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. I 2 5: 

his wife died in Yonkers, N. Y., 1886. Had no 
children. Her maiden name was Foote, of Fairhaven, 
Conn. Rev. Michael Burdett, now a retired Presby- 
terian clergyman in Philadelphia, succeeded Mr. 
Baldwin July 17, 1833, to 1834. He was succeeded 
by Rev. Eber S. Clarke of Winchendon, June 
21, 1835. Mr. Clarke was dismissed 1837 and set- 
tled once more in Richmond, Mass., where he died. 
Rev. Robert Carver followed in a successful minis- 
try, 1838-42. Settled next in Raynham. Entered 
into the Christian commission service, in which he 
died. This completes the list of those who ministered 
to the Evangelical branch during their sojourn in the 
chapel. Mr. Adams continued in the pastorate of 
the united societies, known as the First Congrega- 
tional, ten years, and was succeeded by Rev. Wil- 
liam A. Houghton, who was installed October 26, 
1853, and resigned at the termination of twenty-five 
years October 26, 1878. He was succeeded by Rev. 
Albert Barnes Christy of Greenwich, Conn., a grad- 
uate of Andover, and was ordained and installed 
July 3, 1879. He gave way to a call to the church 
in Conway, 1881, Thence he removed to Ohio and 
finally to New Mexico, where he is now stationed. 
Rev. Henry Hyde, now of Greenfield, succeeded Mr, 
Christy in the same year. Rev. Charles H. Wash- 
burn, a graduate of Amherst, was the third succes- 
sor to whom Rev. Mr. Houghton has given the right 
hand of fellowship and received into the church 
at his ordination. He was ordained and installed 
December, 1885, dismissed November 2, 1888; called 
to North Woburn. The church has had no settled 
minister since Mr. Washburn left. The pulpit has 



126 HISTORY OF THE 

been supplied by Rev. H. H. Osgood, Rev. J. W. 
Brownville, Rev. J. G. Spencer and Rev. H. F. 
Markham, 1894-5. 

CENTENNIAL OF THE BERLIN CHURCH, 1 879. 

The Congregational Church of Berlin observed its 
1 00th anniversary in a fitting manner on July 4, 
1879. The address was delivered by Rev. W. A. 
Houghton, and an original hymn written by Miss 
Phebe A. Holder was sung by the choir. Our space 
herein will not permit the insertion of all the pro- 
ceedings on this interesting occasion. Much of the 
address was devoted to biographical sketches of the 
ministers who have officiated here, which may be 
found in the preceding pages; also reference was 
made to the Goss and Walley controversy in the 
Bolton church, which was largely the cause of the 
separation. The seceders, who formed the Berlin 
church, were mainly Walleyites, but numbers of the 
women who came in afterwards were of the Gossite 
faction. Many of the former residents and citizens 
of other towns and also neighboring ministers were 
present. The historian, Rev. A. P. Marvin, spoke 
in response to the sentiment, "Our Grandmother 
Lancaster," with good acceptance, as did many others 
in response to the toasts offered. 

MISS holder's hymn. 

Amid time's mountain heights, 

Crowned with the circling years, 
A full and rounded dome, 
Our Century appears. 

'Neath summer skies 

In living green, 
With beauty robed 
Its form is seen. 




UNITARIAN MEETING HOUSE. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. I 27 

Let silver bells of joy 

Ring out with mellow chime, 
Upon the fragrant air 

Of this sweet summer time; 
While hearts responsive 

Catch the strain, 
And voices sound 
The glad refrain. 

Within these hallowed courts 

Our choral song we raise, 
Where saintly fathers stood. 
We lift our notes of praise, 
To Him who rules 

Amid the spheres, 
And crowns with love 
Earth's passing years. 

By loving, patient hands, 

One hundred years ago, 
These altar fires were raised 
That have not ceased to glow; 
The incense pure 

Of faith and prayer, 
Still keeps undimmed 
The sacred fire. 

May He who bought the Church, 
With His own precious blood. 
Through all the years to come. 
Still keep us near to God; 
May Zion here 

In light divine. 
With holiness 

And beauty shine. 

THE UNITARIAN SOCIETY AND MEETING-HOUSE. 

The society was organized November 27, 1871. 
The movement was started by the labors of Rev. 
William S. Hayward, then of Hudson, and Rev. I. 
F. Waterhouse of Clinton, by holding meetings at 



128 HISTORY OF THE 

the Town Hall, beginning- June 25, 1871, alternating 
every other Sunday in preaching until October 10, 

1872, when George W. Green of Boston was engaged 
to supply the pulpit for one year. Mr. Green was 
ordained here in the Town Hall November 12, 1872. 
He resigned the pastorate July i, 1873, and was suc- 
ceeded by Granville Pierce of Townsend, whose ordi- 
nation likewise was in the Town Hall, November 19, 

1873. He continued here until October i, 1876. 
The next in succession was Rev. Francis S. Thatcher 
of Newton, who began his services December 3, 
1876, and continued two years. The services of 
Rev. Sheldon C. Clark were secured from April 6, 
1879, to the following September. Rev. Cyrus A. 
Roys supplied for a few months until the Rev. Wil- 
liam C. Litchfield of Scituate was engaged in the 
spring of 1880. Mr. Litchfield embraced the period 
between June i, 1880, and January i, 1882, when he 
removed to Athol. From this date until the return 
of Mr. Litchfield, April i, 1884, the society were sup- 
plied by Rev. E. P. Gibbs of Hudson, Prof. H. H. 
Lincoln of Boston, Rev. Obed Eldridge of Northboro 
and some others. Mr. Litchfield supplied after his 
return until about May, 1886, when he accepted the 
pastorate of a church in Gardner. The next in the 
line of succession was Rev. I. F. Porter of Peters- 
ham, who began his services May 2, 1887. The in- 
terregnum between the two latter pastorates was 
filled by various candidates. - 

Mr. Porter resigned October 20, 1888, and the pul- 
pit was supplied by various candidates until January 
22, 1890, when the Rev. George F. Pratt of Clinton 
was installed and has since continued in the pastorate. 



UNITARIAN MINISTERS AND SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS. 









<; 






KEV. \VM. \V. LITCHFIELD. 

REV. GEO. W. GREEN. 

REV. GRANVILLE PIERL E. 

REV. I. F. PORTER. 

PROF. H. H. LINCOLN. 



ISRAEL SAWYER, SUPT. 

REV. FRANCIS S. THATCHER. 

REV. .SHELDON C. CLARK. 



REV. CVRUS C. ROVS. 
KEV. WM. S. HAYWARD. 

REV. GEO. F. PRATT. 
KEV. I. F. WATERHOUSE. 




METHODIST MEETING HOUSE. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 29 

THE CARTER FUND. 

Chandler Carter, moved by a strong desire to put 
the society on a sound financial basis, signified to 
the society a willingness to donate the sum of 
$20,000 in trust, the income of which to be used for 
the support of Unitarian preaching. This intention 
was carried into effect in a public meeting in the 
church May 5, 1887, Prof. H. H. Lincoln making the 
principal address and response on the part of the 
society. 

UNITARIAN MEETING-HOUSE. 

The first donation to the society available for the 
building of a meeting-house was made by Mary W, 
Carter of $1,000.* At a meeting of the society Feb- 
ruary 24, 1 88 1, it was voted to build a church. The 
records show that at a meeting held March 2, 1881, 
Chandler Carter then stated that he would give the 
society $1,000 to help them build a church, provided 
they were all united. In addition to this he gave 
$136.50 to pay for the pews. The church was built 
from a plan furnished by Mr. Nourse, architect of 
Worcester, whose father, B. B. Nourse of Westboro, 
was a native of this town. The cost of the church, 
except the work of grading, etc., given by individ- 
uals, was $4,504.43, and was dedicated March i, 
1882, the Rev. Minot J. Savage of Boston preaching 
the dedicatory sermon. 

METHODIST CHURCH. 

About 1855-6 Rev. Gardner Rice, then principal 
of the Berlin Academy, began holding prayer and 
class meetings, which resulted in the organization of 

* See article, Mary W. Carter, in the genealogical part of this work. 
10 



130 HISTORY OF THE 

a Methodist Episcopal Church April, 1856. Mr. 
Rice was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. John 
Goodwin for two years, and he again for two years 
b}^ Rev. W. W. Colburn, and Mr. Nathaniel Stevens 
succeeded Mr. Colburn for two years. Rev. B. F. 
Whittemore was the successor of Mr. Stevens and 
continued in the pastorate six months, and was the 
last minister under the first organization, which ap- 
parently became extinct 1862, when nearly all the 
male members of this church, together with the min- 
ister, enlisted and did good service in the War of 
the Rebellion. Rev. Mr. Whittemore was appointed 
chaplain in the army, and did good service for the 
government for some years in the southern states 
after the close of the war. Interest in the Methodist 
Church remained dormant here until 1880. On the 
1 8th of April of this year, Rev. W. W. Colburn and 
C. H. Hanaford began preaching alternately. Col- 
burn preached the first in the Town Hall April 18, 
1880, and was followed by Hanaford, and so on until 
the September following, when the presiding elder 
of the district came September i 5 to form a church. 
The organization was completed and Rev. C. H. 
Hanaford took charge of the church for eighteen 
months. He was followed by Rev. C. W. Wilder, 
who continued in the pastorate six months until 
April, 1883, when the Rev. Eratus Burlingham be- 
came his successor, and continued two years. He 
was followed by Rev. Luther Freeman one year, and 
he by Rev. Paul Desjardins two years, Rev. J. W. 
Barter two years. Rev. A. J. Hall one year, and Rev. 
E. F. Heigh way one year. The Rev. S. K. vSmith has 
had charge for the last three years (1895). 



TOWN OF BERLIN. I3I 

The meetings at first under tlie old organization 
were held in the hall over Riley Smith's blacksmith 
shop, and lastly in the old Town House on the Com- 
mon. The meetings under the new organization 
were for a time held at the new Town Hall, until the 
building of their meeting-house in 1887. 

The house was dedicated December 20, 1887, ser- 
mon by Rev. William N. Brodbeck; corner stone laid 
June, 1887, sermon by Rev. Dr. George S. Chad- 
bourne. The church cost originally $4,000. At the 
time of its dedication a debt of only $1,600 remained 
unpaid; of this, $600 was raised in 1889 through the 
efforts of Rev. J. W. Barter, and the remaining 
$1,000 was secured in 1892 during the pastorate of 
Rev. S. K. Smith. A grand jubilee service in cele- 
bration of its freedom from debt was held January 
19, 1893, Rev. Dr. George S. Chadbourne, former 
presiding elder, preaching the sermon. 

Rev. Gardner Rice was born December 13, 1805, in 
Wayland, Mass. His parents dying when he was 
quite young, he was bound out to a man by the name 
of Devol in Leominster, Mass., where he lived till he 
was twenty-one. Being ambitious to secure an edu- 
cation, he fitted for college at Wilbraham Academy 
and graduated at Wesleyan University, Middletown, 
Conn., in 1834. He spent two years at Newton 
Theological Seminary, intending to devote his life to 
the ministry, but was persuaded to take charge of 
the academy at Holliston for a year. Instead of one 
year, however, he remained there ten years, and this 
determined his life work as a teacher. Having re- 
ceived license in the Methodist Church as a local 
preacher, for forty years he performed the double 



132 



HISTORY OF THE 



work of teaching and preaching, founding not less 
than nine different churches, all of which are now 
self-supporting and prosperous. He taught in Ber- 
in 1855-56, and was the father of Methodism in this 
place. A man of deep devotion, an untiring worker, 
his one purpose was to live for God and the good of 
his fellowmen. He was married May 25, 1835, to 
Miss Sarah Morse of Leominster, Mass. They had 
nine children, four of whom are now living. Mr. 
Rice died in Shrewsbury, Mass., February 24, 1881. 
Rev. William W. Colburn was born July 16, 1834, 
at Wilton, Me. When quite young he came to 
Massachusetts and worked in the shoe shop at West- 
boro. In 1854 he attended school at Wesleyan 
Academy, Wilbraham, Mass., where he was con- 
verted. He was licensed to exhort at Oakdaie in 
1858; attended the Biblical Institute at Concord. N. 
H. (now Boston Theological Seminary), in 1859-60 ; 
preparatory to the ministry, joined the New England 
Conference in 1 860, of which he was a member at the 
time of his death, which occurred at Waltham, Mass., 
April 13, 1895. He was a man of marked ability, 
winning manners, greatly beloved by all, and very 
successful in his ministry. In 1871-72 he was chap- 
lain of the Massachusetts state prison. He was 
married June 28, i860, to Miss Laura A. Chamber- 
lain of Clinton, Mass., who is still living. Two chil- 
dren are also living — William P. Colburn of New 
York city and Mrs. Laura Olmstead of Waltham, Mass. 
Mr. Colburn supplied Berlin while a student in 1859, 
and was appointed here by the Conference in i860. 
He also had pastoral supervision of the church in 
1880 while stationed at Hudson. 



METHODIST MINISTERS. 





'% «• 



~^- *?' 








REV. GAKDNER RICE. 

REV. CHAS. II. IIANAFORD. 

REV. LUTHER IREEMAN. 

REV. JNO. W. liARTER. 



REV. FRANK E. HIGHWAY. 
REV. ALLEN J. HALL. 



REV. W. \V. COLBURN. 
REV. C HAS. W. WILDER. 

REV. S. K. SMITH. 
REV. lAUL DESJARDENS. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 33 

Rev. Charles H. Hanaford was born in Northfield, 
N. H., February 4, 1835, was converted in 185 1, was 
licensed to preach in 1859, and joined the New Eng- 
land Conference the same year. He has preached 
within the bounds of the Conference ever since, hold- 
ing positions of trust and responsibility. At the 
present time he is pastor of the Allston M. E. Church, 
Boston. He was educated at the New Hampshire 
Conference Seminary at Tilton, N. H., and has been 
a close student during all his ministerial life. He 
was married July 4, 1858, to Miss Jennie A. Nason 
of Mason, N. H., whose father was a prominent 
member of the New Hampshire Conference. An 
only son, Fred A. Hanaford, lives at Clinton, Mass. 
Mr. Hanaford was stationed at Berlin in 1882, after 
supplying the charge for several months previous. 

Rev. Charles W. Wilder was born February 22, 
1837, at Granville, Vt. He united with the church 
in 1850, was licensed to preach in i860 and joined 
the New England Conference in 1865, of which he is 
still a member ; at present pastor of the church at 
WoUaston, Mass. He was educated at Wesleyan 
University, Middletown, Conn., graduating in 1865. 
In 1866-67 he taught in Newbury Seminary, Vt. 
In 1868-69 hewas professor in, and in 1879-81 princi- 
pal of, the Vermont Conference vSeminary at Mont- 
pelier, Vt. Hewas married May 5, 1866, to Miss 
Jeanette H. Davis of Dudley, Mass. Three children 
were bom to them, two of whom, Edith H. and 
Charles W., are still living. He was for a short time in 
the army of the Rebellion, a member of the^6th Mass. 
Regiment, Company G. Mr. Wilder was pastor of 
the church in Berlin portions of 1882-83, while re- 



134 HISTORY OF THE 

covering his health. A man of transparent char- 
acter, highly esteemed by all, his life has been 
marked by devotion to duty and increasing useful- 
ness. 

Rev. Luther Freeman was born July 17, 1866, at 
Essex, Vt. He united with the Methodist Church 
in 1878, was licensed to preach in 1883, and joined 
the New England Conference in 1 890. He was edu- 
cated at Boston University, graduating in 1889. It 
was while a student there he supplied the church at 
Berlin in 1885. He is at present the popular pastor 
of the First Methodist Church at Waltham, Mass. 
He was married September 10, 1890, to Miss Bertha 
F. Mansfield, daughter of Rev. George Mansfield of 
the New England Conference. Mr. Freeman is a 
young man of magnetic influence, charming man- 
ners, marked ability, and gives promise of a life of 
great usefulness in the church. 

Rev. Paul Desjardins was born in Bad Axe, Michi- 
gan, about the year 1854. His parents were French 
Canadians and reside at present in Michigan. Mr 
Desjardins studied at the Boston Theological School, 
and while there, in 1886-87, supplied the Methodist 
Church in Berlin. It was during his pastorate and 
through his untiring efforts the church was built. 
After leaving here he had charge for some time of a 
French mission in New York city. He then re- 
turned to Michigan, where he is at present laboring, 
a member of the Detroit Conference. Mr. Desjar- 
dins was a man of fine presence, much tact and 
ability, and greatly devoted to his work. 

Rev. John W. Barter was born August 30, 1858^ 
at St. George, Knox county, Maine. He united 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



135 



with the Baptist Church at St. George when seven- 
teen years of age. He was licensed to preach in the 
Methodist Church in 1878 at Heath, Mass., and re- 
ceived appointments from the New England Confer- 
ence to Heath, Cambridge, Beverly and Berlin. His 
educational advantages were limited, but his superior 
natural gifts were to a great extent a substitute for 
scholastic training, and soon secured for him posi- 
tions of responsibility and influence. He was mar- 
ried August 30, 1883, to Miss Carrie L. Gleason of 
Heath, Mass. They have three children living. Mr. 
Barter was pastor of the Methodist Church in Berlin 
in 1888-89. At the close of his pastorate here he 
retired from the active work of the ministry and en- 
gaged in business. He now resides in Berlin, living 
near the Centre, and is engaged in the commission 
trade. 

Rev. Allen J. Hall was born vSeptember 8, 1839, ^^ 
Williamstown, Mass. He united with the Methodist 
Church in 1858, was licensed to preach in 1864 and 
joined the New England Conference in 1867, of 
which he is still a member, his present pastorate 
being at Graniteville, Mass. He was educated at 
Cazenovia Seminary, N. Y., and the Biblical Insti- 
tute, Concord, N. H. He was married June 18, 
1867, to Miss Sarah A. Goodell of Hillsboro, N. H. 
Rev. Mr. Hall was pastor of the Methodist Church 
in Berlin in 1890, and by his earnestness and devo- 
tion drew many hearts toward him. 

Rev. Frank E. Heighway was born in Canton, Ohio, 
about the year 1 864. His father when a young man 
moved from Thompsonville, Conn., to Ohio, residing 
in Canton at the present time. Mr. Heighway was 



136 HISTORY OF THE 

educated at Mt. Hope vSeminary, Ohio, and Boston 
University. He supplied the Methodist Church in 
Berlin while a student in Boston in 1891. He is at 
present stationed in Cleveland, Ohio, a member of 
the Cincinnati Conference. A man of positive char- 
acteristics, with high ambition and earnest devotion, 
his increasing usefulness and prominence are assured. 
Rev. Sidney K. Smith was born March 14, 1838, 
at Huntington, Long Island, N. Y. At seventeen 
years of age he went to New York city to live, 
securing a position as custom house clerk in an im- 
porting house. He united with the York Street 
Methodist Church, Brooklyn, in 1856, was licensed 
to preach in 1859, and joined the New York East 
Conference in 1865. He was educated at Wilbra- 
ham Academy, Wesleyan University, and the 
Biblical Institute at Concord, N. H. He was mar- 
ried September 14, 1865, to Miss Mary F. Barnard of 
Marlboro, Mass. They have five children — three sons 
and two daughters. Mr. Smith is still a member of 
the New York East Conference, though residing at 
Marlboro, Mass. His pastorate in Berlin commenced 
April, 1892, and still continues. 

THE friends' society. 

Quite a respectable and influential number of Ber- 
lin families have belonged to the Friends' vSociety, 
whose meeting-house, built 1790, stands just over 
the line in Bolton. This meeting constitutes what 
is known as the Bolton Monthly Meeting, a branch 
of the Smithfield Quarterly Meeting, which holds 
one of its sessions yearly the second Thursday in 
August at the Bolton meeting-house. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. I37 

Berlin and Bolton have known better than most 
towns the Friends or Quakers in their citizenship ; 
both towns would bear cheerful testimony to their 
worth. To see the commingling of the descendants 
of Cassandra Southwick and the Boston Puritans 
fraternizing in religious meetings, public and pri- 
vate, with kindliest regards for each other's distinc- 
tive views and order of worship, seems to preclude 
the possibility of certain historic facts, — just as 
fully Puritans as ever and just as fully Quakers as 
ever. But many of the Quakers on whom the Puri- 
tans' wrath descended were as unlike our worthy 
Quaker citizens as were the old Puritans unlike the 
Puritans of to-day. Not here can we discuss the 
merits of the case, but we rejoice together in the 
better knowledge of personal liberty of opinions and 
the harmonizing of religious faith. 

The Quakers have always had really the most ad- 
vanced and mainly correct ideas on liberty as to re- 
ligion. Some of the members of the society came in 
conflict with the town on account of the ministerial 
tax. By law every taxable person was liable to this 
tax unless he presented to the Assessors a certificate 
that he was a member of some other religious so- 
ciety. This, Jonathan Baker neglected or refused to 
do, hence he was assessed, and on refusal to pay he 
was put in jail. The town finally remitted his four- 
teen-shilling tax, and his certificate of Quaker mem- 
bership stands on record. 

On school matters Obadiah Wheeler was the per- 
sistent leader in insisting year after year, and as often 
refused, on a division of the school money. That is 
our issue to-dav with the Catholics. The Quakers 



138 HISTORY OF THE 

finally established a school near their meeting-house 
in Bolton, to which all the children of Friends' fam- 
ilies were sent. This plan of separate sectarian 
schools was abandoned as impracticable and unwise, 
1870, and a return was made to the common school, 
where every American or foreign born child here 
should attend and receive the rudiments at least of 
a sound secular education. In 1781 the following 
members "signed off" or presented their certificate 
of membership : Stephen Sweat, Obadiah Wheeler, 
Jr., Peter Grossman, Benjamin Baker, David South- 
wick, Enoch South wick, Jonathan Wheeler, Jr., Ste- 
phen Wheeler, Peregrine Wheeler and William Bry- 
ant. Of late a change is apparent in the garb and 
language of the Friends, probably in the line of prog- 
ress. At the present time members of this society 
are not distinguishable from the world's people in 
either speech or dress. 

OTHER BELIEFS AND NO BELIEFS. 

Besides the Orthodox, Unitarians, Methodists and 
Friends, there have been, from the early times, some 
living here of other beliefs. Notably among these 
were some Baptists who attended church in neigh- 
boring towns, and of more recent date we find several 
respectable families of the Catholic faith who attend 
church at Clinton and Hudson. And, again, on dili- 
gent inquiry, it may be learned that quite a large 
number, proportionately, are, and have been, of the 
Spiritualistic faith or belief. They have no organiza- 
tion, and of late have rarely held any meetings in 
town. Interest in this subject began here, about 
1850, and meetings were held in various places until 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 39 

the breaking out of the war. Since then, less activity- 
has been manifested, but faith in the reality of the 
manifestations still has a strong hold in many fam- 
ilies. The remaining portion of the population by 
some would be called "agnostics;" by others, "the 
world's people." They have made no particular 
profession of religion orally, but have left their faith 
to be known by their works. On close inquiry it 
will probably be found that most of these have faith 
in the Golden Rule and in the doctrine " that what- 
soever ye sow, that shall ye also reap." 

COST OF PUBLIC WORSHIP. 

The three churches located in town furnish ample 
facilities for the entire population to attend meeting. 
The Congregational Church was built by the town 
for the accommodation of all its inhabitants, when 
the population was nearly the same as at present. 
The total amount invested in the three meeting- 
houses amounts to nearly $15,000, and the yearly 
expenditure for the supply of the pulpit and other 
society work is probably not less than $3,000, besides 
the annual repairs, which amount to no inconsider- 
able sum. Taken altogether, the yearly appropri- 
ation and the interest on the church property 
amount to one-half of the a.verage town taxes, and 
"for no other purpose," says Mr. Houghton, "would 
the people voluntarily tax themselves for so large an 
amount." 

The number that attend meeting of any kind bear 
no comparison to the sums expended. Less than 
one-half, probably, are regular attendants, and the 
query arises whether some plan may be devised by 



140 HISTORY OF THE 

•some wise head by which the people can be elevated 
to a higher plane, intellectually, morally and spirit- 
ually, by a less expenditure of inoney. Brief exam- 
ination discloses the fact that at least $2,000 a year 
could be saved in this small town for other bene- 
ficial purposes if people were guided less by dogma 
and more by reason. Just consider : In one decade 
there would be saved $20,000 for objects of the high- 
est utility — for a high school, for a magnificent 
library and a building for the same of ample 
dimensions and of artistic design, and for other 
purposes equally beneficial. Could people of small 
towns like this disrobe themselves of sectarian prej- 
udice, and exercise the same prudence, foresight and 
sagacity in this as in the ordinary affairs of life, the 
community would soon be elevated to a higher posi- 
tion in the scale of being, and advance towards that 
higher plane of civilization which has been the ideal 
life of the wisest sages of all generations. 

MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS — LIST OF BERLIN OFFICERS. 
THE OLD MILITIA. 

This organization is known on record as the 9th 
Company of the ist Regiment of Worcester County 
Division and attached to the 2d Brigade, the 6th 
and 7th Division of the infantry arm of the service. 
The following is a list of officers and year of commis- 
sion : — 

CAPTAINS. 

Barnabas Maynard, 1787 Samuel Jones, Jr., 1795 

Henry Powers, 1788 Job Spofford, 1798 

Josiah Sawyer, 1792 Manasseh Fairbank, iSoi 



>I42 


HISTORY 


OF THE 




Ephraim Howe, 


1803 


Theophilus Nourse, 


1822 


Amos Sawyer, 


1805 


Benjamin F. Spofford, 


1824 


Oliver Sawyer (Pro.), 


1809 


Paul Brigham, 


1826 


William Newton, 


1812 


John Bartlett, 


1829 


Solomon Howe, 


1814 


Silas B. Fairbank, 


1830 


William Barnes, 


1816 


Franklin Sawyer, 


1831 


Curtis Howe, 


1817 


Silas Sawyer, 


1837 



All of the above-named were promoted from lieutenants or 
ensigns to captains, except Captain Barnabas Maynard. 

LIEUTENANTS. 

The following, not in the above list, served as 
lieutenants : 

Samuel Baker, Jr., 1788 Albert Babcock, 1831 

Augustus Bigelow, 1805 William Babcock, 1838 

Ira Sawyer, 181 7 Samuel M. Fuller, 1856^ 
John Powers, 1826 

ENSIGNS. 

Not named in above lists : 

Henry Powers, 1809 Joseph Wilder, 1832 

Aaron Barnes, 1822 

The company was disbanded July i, 1857. 

Men enlisted in other organizations and those pro- 
moted to higher positions in the service, viz. : 

Samuel Spofford, cornet, ist Regiment of Horse, 1792. 

Samuel Spofford, captain, Battalion Cavalry, 1794. 

Caleb Fairbanks, cornet, " " 1798. 

Joseph Parks, cornet, Cavalry, 18 10. 

Joseph Parks, lieutenant, Cavalry, 181 1. 

Joseph Parks, captain, Cavalry, 18 14. 

Joseph Parks, major. Cavalry, 18 16. 

Joseph Parks, lieutenant colonel. Cavalry, 181 7. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 143 

Joseph Parks, colonel, Cavalry, 1818. 
Timothy Bailey, lieutenant, Cavalry, 181 2. 
Timothy Bailey, captain, Cavalry, 1816. 
Jonathan D. Meriam, cornet, Cavalry, 1820. 
Jonathan D. Meriam, lieutenant, Cavalry, 1822. 
Jonathan D. Meriam, captain. Cavalry, 1824. 
Emerson Spofford, cornet. Cavalry, 1826. 

INFANTRY. 

Silas B. Fairbank, major, 1831. 

Silas B. Fairbank, lieutenant colonel, 1832. 

Oliver Sawyer, major, 1812. 

ARTILLERY. 

Oliver Stone, lieutenant, Battalion of Artillery, 1835. 
Abram Babcock, lieutenant. Battalion of Artillery, 1837. 

BERLIN LIGHT INFANTRY. 

This company was formed in the spring of 1852 
and is known of recorcj as Company F, 8th Regiment, 
5th Brigade and 3d Division, Massachusetts Vohm- 
teers. The first captain of this company was Lewis 
Sawyer, commissioned April 15,1852, and discharged 
Novembers, 1854. The second captain was Chris- 
tophers. Hastings, commissioned March 13, 1855, 
and resigned January 16, 1857. Captain Hastings 
was commissioned second lieutenant April 15, 1852; 
Ira Carter, third lieutenant, April 15, 1852; James 
N. Johnson, fourth lieutenant, April 15, 1852; James 
N. Johnson, second lieutenant, March 13, 1855; 
Samuel M. Fuller, third lieutenant, March 13, 1855; 
Samuel M. Fuller, second lieutenant, April 30, 1855, 



144 HISTORY OF THE 

Chauncey P. Hartwell, fourth lieutenant, June 30,. 
1855; Chauncey P. Hartwell, second lieutenant, July 
22, 1856; Lewis L. Carter, fourth lieutenant, March 
13, 1855; Lewis L. Carter, third lieutenant, April 30, 
1855. 

This company was disbanded July i, 1857; since 
then there has been no military organization in town, 

THE OLD CEMETERY, 1 768. 

The land for the old cemetery was given to the 
inhabitants of Bolton for a "burying place" by Sam- 
uel Jones and. David Rice, by deed May 9, 1768. The 
consideration named therein was : "For the love and 
good will of the inhabitants of the southerly part of 
the town of Bolton, living within the limits M^hich 
hath been mentioned for a precinct or district." The 
first interment was that of Samuel Jones of Marl- 
boro, probably the father of Samuel, the donor, 1 769. 
Previous to this burials were made in the Bolton old 
cemetery and in burying grounds in the adjoining 
towns. Some from nearly all the families of the 
first settlers were buried here, except those of the 
Society of Friends, of which there was quite a num- 
ber who were buried in an old cemetery back of the 
Thomas Fry place. Two memorial statues of fine 
artistic design and workmanship, erected by Artemas 
Barnes, 1876, adorn the grounds: the one to the 
memory of Dr. Puffer, representing "Faith ;" the other 
to the memory of Lieutenant Timothy Bailey, who 
was our only soldier who died in the Revolutionary 
war, and represents "Hope." The old cemetery sub- 
served the wants of the town for eighty-seven years, 
or till 1857, when the new cemetery was laid out. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 45 

THE NEW CEMETERY, 1 857. 

The first movement made by the town in relation 
to a new cemetery was at a town meeting held June 
1 1, 1849. O^ motion made by Josiah Babcock, chose 
a committee "to ascertain if some suitable place for 
a new burial ground can be obtained." Various 
places were examined from time to time till April 6, 
1857, when the town voted that the Committee on 
Burial Ground buy four or more acres at or near 
Pine nursery. This committee consisted of Oliver 
Fosgate, Edward F. Green, Oliver Smith, Eli Saw- 
yer and C. S. Hastings. The land was a part of the 
old Levi Wheeler farm, and the committee in their 
report to the town say that they "found there a piece 
of land that nature has shaped just as it should be, 
or just as your committee think it should be, etc., 
of easy access to the road. A part of the lot is 
covered with small growing pines." A committee 
subsequently chosen reported in favor of the same 
location. Brief inspection of this site demonstrates 
the wisdom of those who selected this beautiful and 
convenient spot for the new cemetery. No town 
around can in all respects present so fine a location. 
The grounds were laid out in 1857 and the work 
completed the following year. The first interment was 
that of Joel L. Wheeler, who died in August, 1857, 
]\Iore pains are taken yearly to keep the cemetery 
in good order. The income of the Hunt and Bige- 
low funds is applied for that purpose. The tomb 
was first placed near the gateway, but was removed 
to the present location 1877. The price of lots was 
fixed at first at $ 5 , but was changed 1877: ' 'To parties 



146 HISTORY OF THE 

out of town, $25 ; to those in town, $8 for inside lots 
and $5 for outside." 

thp: war of the rebellion. 

The first notice the people of the town had that 
hostilities had commenced was announced by our 
veteran expressman and stage driver, Amos Sawyer. 
The thrilling account of the attack on Fort Sumter 
was read from a Boston paper before the coach left 
the post office on the evening of April 12, 1861. It 
had been customary for some time for our townsmen 
to assemble on arrival of the mail. On this occasion 
more than the usual number were present, anxious 
to learn if the threatened intention of the rebels had 
been carried out. 

This news created intense excitement throughout 
the towm. The people were prepared in a measure , 
to expect some rash and overt act on the part of our 
southern brethren, still they had hopes that return- 
ing reason or some fortuitous circumstances might 
arise to prevent actual hostilities. The people of the 
town were quite well united in opposition to the 
plotters of treason, and but few if any rebel sympa- 
thizers were in our midst; prudence dictated to 
them undoubtedly that safety and security for them- 
selves would be best secured by silence and seclusion. 
This unit}^ of sentiment was highly favorable to that 
military enthusiasm which was quickened into inten- 
sity by the stirring events of April, 1861. The 
patriotic sentiment must have vent, must express itself 
in words and deeds not to be misunderstood, hence 
a meeting was called by the Selectmen at the old 
Town House on the Common May 6, 1 861, at which 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 47 

it was informally proposed to raise a whole company 
in our representative district — Berlin, Bolton and 
Harvard, — and that the other towns be invited to 
join us. Projects for drilling were perfected. One 
said he understood ''tick tacs" and could perform 
the duties of drill master. It was finally agreed 
that the able-bodied should meet and parade on the 
Common and then march to Northboro under com- 
mand of Captain C. S. Hastings, and show the 
Northboreans that the Berlineans were alive and 
ready for action, and eager to obtain recruits for the 
new company. The programme proposed was carried 
out, the march was made, and each man carried a 
musket — an old queen's arm or a rifle; the music — a 
fife and drum. Such was the effervescence of the 
first outburst of patriotic sentiment here at this time, 
there would have been no difficulty in enlisting a 
whole company perhaps ; not all in town, but a few 
outsiders might have been necessary for a full com- 
plement, and that, too, without the large bounties 
afterwards paid. 

The first official action taken by the town for the 
suppression of the Rebellion was on the 6th of May, 
1 86 1. The Selectmen for that year were: Henry 
D. Coburn, Silas Sawyer and George W. Maynard. 
At this meeting the sum of $2,000 was appropriated 
"for fitting out volunteers for the defense of the 
government," and chose the following committee for 
the expenditure of the money, viz. : Luther Peters, 
Abel W. Longley, RiW Smith, Eli Sawyer and 
William Bassett. The following resolutions, pre- 
sented by William Bassett, Esq., w^ere read and 
adopted : 



148 HISTORY OF THE 

Resolved, That the time has come for action, resolute, deter- 
mined, decided action ; and that Uberty imperilled, the laws 
defied, the Constitution trampled upon and the old flag trailed 
in the dust by traitorous hands, call in tones of thunder to 
every patriot to arm and strike a blow at once for liberty and 
law, for God and justice. 

Resolved, That since governments were instituted among 
men, never was there less justification for rebellion than this 
which has been brought forth by a conspiracy more wicked 
than the world has ever seen, and all who shall give it aid and 
comfort by word or deed will be justly deserving the execration 
of all good and patriotic citizens. 

Resolved, That we cheerfully accept the situation and will 
resolutely stand on our country's defense, and in proportion 
to our means and numbers will contribute of the same to the 
support of the government, until the old flag shall wave over 
the whole land as the emblem of equality, liberty and law. 

The above action of the town was in response to 
the first call of the president for troops, made imme- 
diately after the fall of Fort Sumter, April 15, 1861, 
which was for 75,000 to serve for three months, and 
also to the second call, made May 3d, for 42,000 addi- 
tional volunteers, to serve for three years, or during 
the war. 

The enlistment fever subsided in a measure when 
it was learned from Washington that no more volun- 
teers were needed, and that William H. Seward, 
secretary of state, and others in high authority 
expressed the opinion that the Rebellion would 
collapse within three months, but the battle of Bull 
Rull changed all of this. The magnitude of the 
contest was more apparent as time went on, until all 
could see that it was a life and death struggle for 
union and libertv. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



149 



It appears by the report of the committee before 
named, made at the November meeting, 1861, "that 
they had paid thirty-four men $8 each." The enlist- 
ments to this date were mostly in the 13 th, 15 th, 
2 2d and 25 th Mass. Vols. None of our soldiers were 
in the first battle of Bull Run. 

July 25, 1862. "Voted to pay the sum of $100 to 
each volunteer who may enlist in the service of the 
country to constitute the quota for the town of 
Berlin for three years' service." 

August 23. "Voted to pay $100 to each volunteer 
required to fill the quota for the 300,000 volunteers 
for nine months' service, called for by the president 
of the United States, the $100 to be paid when they 
shall be mustered into the service of the United 
States. A committee of five was chosen to obtain 
the names of all persons engaged in the war, includ- 
ing names, ages, occupation." 

November 4. "Voted that the Selectmen be 
instructed to contract with Adams Express Company 
to convey the bodies of those soldiers from this town 
who may die or be killed in battle, who may be 
delivered at their office, and the Selectmen furnish 
the express company with a list of names of the 
soldiers in service from this town." 

November 3, 1863. "Voted to comply with the 
provision of section 9 of the act for reimbursement 
of bounties paid by towns to volunteers." 

April 2, 1864. "Voted that the town appropriate 
$125 to pay each volunteer who may enlist in the 
service of the United States as a part of the quota of 
this town, or a like amount for recruiting purposes 
to fill the quota of this town." 



150 HISTORY OF THE 

August 3. "Voted to pay the bounty in gold or 
its equivalent." 

June 9, 1866. Soldiers' monument proposed. 

The following committee was chosen to take the 
matter into consideration and report at a future 
meeting: Rev. W. A. Houghton, William Bas- 
sett, Israel Sawyer, Riley Smith, A. W. Longley. 
The committee reported in favor of a memorial 
hall instead of a monument, which report was 
accepted, and the same was built in connection 
with and as a part of the Town Hall building, and 
both were dedicated at the same time, March 2, 
1870. The memorial address was by Rev. William 
A. Houghton, and was printed in pamphlet with the 
other exercises on that occasion. This address was 
largely devoted to a personal history of those who 
died during the war and a brief sketch of the sur- 
vivors. A fuller record of Berlin soldiers will 
hereafter appear in these pages, derived from the 
adjutant general's office and other sources. 

The following is an extract from Adjutant General 
Schouler's history, "Massachusetts in the Rebellion": 

"Berlin furnished 130 men for the war, which was a surplus 
of nine over and above all demands ; three were commissioned 
officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and 
expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of 
state aid, was $14,013.22. 

"The amount of money raised and expended by the town 
during the war for state aid to soldiers' families and repaid by 
the Commonwealth was as follows: In 1861, $296.25 ; in 
1862, $1,773.32; in 1863, $2,883.05; in 1864, $3,589.30; 
in 1865, $2,691.44. Total amount, $11,233.36. 

"The ladies of Berlin formed a soldiers' aid society, and did 
soldiers' work for the Sanitary Commission. They also col- 



WOMEN'S RELIEF CORPS. 




MRS. GEO. H. ANDREWS. 

MRS. FRANCIS BABCOCK. 

MRS. J. H. GROSSMAN. 



MRS. SARAH STKATTON. 
MRS. R. c. SAWYER. 



MRS. PIIILO URUCE. 
MRS. S. E. ANDREWS. 
MRS. J. Q^ MAYNARD. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. I 5 I 

lected over $700 to purchase material to be made into under- 
clothing, socks and other garments for the soldiers. They 
met often, the average attendance being about sixty. The 
articles furnished were generally sent to the soldiers through 
the Sanitary and Christian Commissions." 

THE president's CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS — MASSA- 
CHUSETTS' QUOTAS — MEN FURNISHED. 

President's call. Mass. Men furnished. 
1S61. 

April 15, 3 months, 75>ooo 1,560 3,736 3 months 

May3, 6 mos., I, 2,3 yrs. 500,000 34,868 32,177 3 years 

Congress approved Aug. 6, July 22, 25. 
1862. 
July 2, 3 years, 300,000 19,080 16,519 3 years 

August 4, 9 months, 300000 19,080 16,685 9 rnonths 

1S63. 
June 15, 6 months, 103 6 months 

October 17, 3 years, 500,000 26,597 17,711 3 years 

1S64. 
February i, 3 years, men paid commutation 3,703 3 years 

March 14, 3 years, 200,000 10,639 ^ 7,332 3 years 

March 14, men paid commutation 1,615 3 years 

Apr.'23 to July 18, must'd in 100 days, 4,000 6,809 100 days 

6,990 I year 

Julv 18, 500,000 21,965 108 2 years 

24,641 3 years 

1,535 1 year 

December 10, 300,000 1,^06 ^ " ^ 

^' ^ ' '^ 2,349 3 years 

2 4 years 
Massachusetts' quota, 139,095 ; furnished, 146,730. 

WAR MEETINGS. 

Prior to 1864 the voluntary enlistments had been 
sufficient to nearly fill all quotas called for, but the 
later calls of the president for 500,000 and 300,000 
during this year necessitated going into the market for 



152 HISTORY OF THE 

recruits. Home enlistments had ceased, and all had 
gone who could well leave their families or had an 
inclination to enter the service, hence Berlin, like most 
other towns, had to buy recruits by paying large 
bounties. Meetings were frequently held at the old 
Town House on the Common to devise ways and 
means to fill the quotas and escape the draft. Per- 
sons liable to the draft contributed $50 each to the 
general fund to pay the bounties required in filling 
the last calls of the president. 

The last enlistments of citizens of special note was 
on January 5, 1864, of Tyler Paine, John Robins, 
George E. Maynard, Oliver P. Wheeler and Rufus 
R. Wheeler (enlisted, but Rufus didn't go). This 
was a "time that tried men's souls," and men's pockets 
as well of those that staid at home. The last quotas 
were filled through Boston agencies in Washington, 
mostly of discharged soldiers of other states. After 
filling the last calls the enrolled militia felt an inex- 
pressible sense of relief in the belief that the 
beginning of the end had come, for the backbone of 
the Rebellion had been broken at Gettysburg and 
Vicksburg, and General Grant was in command of 
the armies. 

THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF THOSE WHO DIED IN THE SERVICE. 

Captain " C. S. Hastings," a name for years as 
familiar in Berlin as the name of the town, properly 
heads the death roll of our deceased soldiers. 
Christopher Sawyer Hastings, son of Ephraim and 
Achsah Hastings, was bom in Lancaster, now Clin- 
ton, in 1 8 14. Moses was the name by which he was 
called till he became of age, when he changed it to 



DECEASED SOLDIERS. 




CHARLES C. WRIGHT. 
JAMES BARRY. 

THOMAS F. RATHBUN. 



WILLIAM H. COBUKN. 
CAPT. C. S. HASTINGS. 

EDWIN BIGELOW. 



I. KKANK CARTER. 

LEMUEL GOTT, JR. 

JAMES M. BULLARD. 



WOMEN'S RELIEF CORPS. 













MKS. s. t. ClIAMlitKl,i.\. 
MKS. OLIVE CARTER. 
MRS. AMOKV L. MAVNARD 
MRS. EMMA HUNTING. 



MR.S. O. K. UPHA.M. 
MKS. JESSIE SNOW JOHNSON. 



■MRS. AI.HERT HAHCOCK. 

.MRS. JOHN ROSE. 
MRS. GEO. H. URUCE. 
MRS. FRED. MILLER. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. I53 

Christopher. His childhood and youth were spent 
in Boylston, whither his parents removed. At 
twenty-one years he came to Berlin, his father hav- 
ing purchased the Nathan Johnson estate. In 1 840 
he settled himself in the family state with Miss 
Cordelia Bigelow of Marlboro, on the homestead 
which he so much adorned in various improvements. 
He was a citizen in the true sense, active and enter- 
prising — a man of cheerful social habits, and public- 
spirited as a townsman. His fellow-citizens be- 
stowed upon him important trusts, which he ever 
met with fidelity. At the opening of the w^ar his 
age exempted him from military service. His offer- 
ing was voluntary. True, he had much at stake, 
with others. But he had no doubt of the final issue, 
yet he would not withhold his own personal service. 
He enlisted in Co. I, 36th Regt., Mass. Vols., and 
entered into the service as captain, September, 1862. 
The regiment was about Harper's Ferry awhile, and 
the upper Potomac ; then at Fredericksburg, and 
under fire in that battle, but not engaged. Their 
next service was in the southwestern department. 
Capt. Hastings was with his regiment in the siege 
of Vicksburg, and three days in the engagement at 
Jackson. Here he sickened, and was left behind the 
regiment, on its return to Kentucky. He recovered, 
and wrote his last letter at Memphis, returning to 
his regiment. Was taken sick again, and died at 
Mound City, 111,, September 8th, 1863, at forty-nine 
years of age. 

Thomas F. Rathburn, son of Solomon H. and 
Hannah Rathburn, was born in Bolton 1841. Rath- 
burn made the first regular enlistment of our soldiers, 



154 HISTORY OF THE 

though he did not go on that enHstment. July 4th^ 
1 86 1, he was enrolled in Co. F, 13th Regt., Mass. 
Vols. The early service of the regiment was tedious 
in marches. On the upper Potomac, on picket duty, 
he contracted a fever, of which he died at Win- 
chester, March 14th, 1862, at twenty years of age. 
His remains, the first of our death harvest in the 
war, were sent home in charge of his fellow soldier, 
Corporal S. M. Haynes, and were buried in our own 
cemetery. 

Charles H. Mavnard, son of Charles H. and 
Priscilla Maynard (Mrs. Reuben Babcock), was born 
in Stow April nth, 1835. Resident here at the 
outbreak of the war, he was among the first to enlist 
for our defense. He joined Co. E, 13th Regt., Mass. 
Vols., in July, 1861. He zealously followed the 
fortunes of this brave regiment in all its perils and 
hard service of movements and battles, till the 
memorable day of Gettysburg, when he was taken 
prisoner. Exchanged, he declined in health, and 
died in the service of the invalid corps, at Douglas 
Hospital, Washington, D. C, January 24th, 1864, 
at twenty-eight years of age. His grave is in our 
own cemetery. 

Alonzo F. Howe, son of Lyman and Rebecca 
Howe, was born in Marlboro March 24th, 1831. 
Just before the war he raised here his domestic 
sanctuary, and gat±Lered his little family around him. 
He enlisted in Co. H, 29th Regt, Mass. Vols., 
December 23d, 1861. He was unable, much of the 
time, to do field duty, but was with his regiment at 
the siege of Vicksburg. Returning, he was taken 
sick on the way, and died at Camp Denison, Cin- 



DECEASED SOLDIERS. 




IIOLLIS L. JOHNSON 
EZRA liARTLETT. 
J. N. P. JOHNSON. 



CHARLES D. STARKEV. 
WILLIAM FLORENCE. 
SILAS E. GODDARD. 



GEORGE H. ROWERS 

SAMUEL A. SNOW. 

N. M. ALLEN. 



WOMEN'S RELIEF CORPS. 




fgy' ^ 







\i u-^. \\ . I . i:AnriH K. 

MKS. JUS. STAI'LE.S. 
MR.S. JOHN A. MERRILL 



MKS. OLl\KK SWVVEK. 
MRS. LHAS. II. ULISS. 
MRS. S. II. MERRILL. 



MRS. BENJ. s. WALKER. 
MRS. JOHN L. D.\Y. 
:MRS. J, M. DEWEV. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. I 5 5. 

cinnati, September 7th, 1863, aged thirty-two years. 
His remains were brought to this place for burial. 

Silas F. Jillson (misnamed Gilsom on tablet), 
.son of Wheaton C. and Eliza B. Jillson, was born in 
Richmond, N. H., May 24th, 1836. Living in this 
town at the opening of the war, he readily enlisted 
for the town in Co. I, 25th Regt., Mass. Vols., October 
20th, 1 86 1. Jillson was the first of our soldiers to 
receive a wound, — this at Roanoke Island. He re- 
enlisted and continued in the service through the war, 
but died at Charlotte, N. C, July 14th, 1865, aged 
twenty-nine years. He received a second wound in 
the summer of 1864. 

Silas E. Goddard, son of Ephraim and Sophia 
Goddard, was born in Berlin March 24th, 1832. A 
retiring, modest youth, a dutiful son, of infirm health, 
he nevertheless was urgent to go at the call of his 
country ; he enlisted in Co. I, 36th Regt., Mass. 
Vols. Was in the Vicksburg campaign, but sunk 
in sickness on return to Kentucky, and died at 
Camp Nelson September loth, 1863, at twenty-one 
years of age. His letters were full of courage, 
though comrades affirm that he was often really un- 
able to do duty. 

George Ira Carter, son of Ira and Hannah 
Carter, was born in Berlin. He enlisted August 6th, 
1862, in Co. I, 36th Regt, Mass. Vols. Among the 
youngest of all our soldier boys, he followed closely 
the service of his regiment, and was in all its 
engagements. Was wounded at Poplar Spring 
Church, Va., being shot through the left lung; was 
taken prisoner, and died at Petersburg September 
30th, 1864, twenty years old. It is related of him 



156 HISTORY OF THE 

that in battle, the regiment being under fire, he re- 
fused to lie down at orders, but stood till the word 
of " charge " was given, when he tossed his gun in 
air and caught it as he plunged with the rest into 
the deadly strife, 

HoLLis L. Johnson, son of Lewis H. and Mary 
Johnson, was born in Berlin June 7th, 1838. Spent 
most of his youth among us. Enlisted in Co. F, 
13th Regt., Mass. Vols., 1862. He was in constant 
service till his death, which occurred at the second 
battle of Bull Run, August 30th, 1862. A long and 
painful suspense hung over his parents and friends 
as to his lot in that battle. Up to this point he had 
kept up frequent correspondence with the family at 
home. 

Thomas Hastings, son of Reuben and Hannah 
Hastings, born in Berlin January 24th, 18 18. 
Married Elizabeth T. Houghton of Bolton, in which 
town he resided some years. Enlisted in Co. C, 1 5 th 
Regt., Mass. Vols. He went through the Peninsular 
campaign, and was through the battle of Antietam, 
from which only fifteen of the company came out. 
A ball passing through both his legs above the knee, 
he was left upon the field. He succeeded in reach- 
ing an old barn with others, where they remained 
four days, helping each other as they could, when 
they were removed to Campbell Hospital, Phila- 
delphia. Chronic diarrhoea having set in, he died 
October 23d, 1862, at forty-four years of age. 

Nathan B. Garfield was born in Shrewsbury. 
His youth was spent partly in Amherst, N. H. He 
came to this place from Marlboro, a diffident and 
retiring young man, the last of all, we should have 



DECEASED SOLDIERS. 




EDWIN II. KICII. 
GEORGE E. MAVNAUD. 
WILLIAAT H. IIOKTON. 



GEORGE I. CAKTEK. 

AUGUSTUS L. HASTING 

TYI.EK PAINE. 



HOMER E. STONE. 

S. F. JILLSON. 

GEORGE C. WHEEEEK. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 157 

said, to make a soldier. But none was more ready 
at duty's call for any conflict. Repeatedly rejected 
for bodily frailty, his spirit burned to serve his 
country. Was finally accepted in Co. I, 25th Regt.^ 
Mass. Vols., July, 1862. Garfield served his regi- 
ment mainly in the hospital. Yet nothing- but the 
field would satisfy his zeal. The field he took, and 
on the field he fell at Bermuda Hundred, Va., May 
1 6th, 1 864, aged twenty-nine years. He was tenderly 
buried by his fellow soldier, Eli Sawyer, Jr., of this 
town. 

Willia:\i H. Coburn, son of Henry D. and 
Hannah Coburn, was born in Berlin, 1841. Very 
thoughtfully, and with parental consent, he enlisted 
in Co. I, 36th Regt, Mass. Vols., August 6th, 1862, 
From the battle of Fredericksburg he accompanied 
the regiment to the siege of Vicksburg ; was taken 
sick after the battle of Jackson, and was brought tO' 
Portsmouth Grove Hospital, R. I. Was again on 
duty in the battle of the Wilderness, in which he 
was wounded in a charge on the enemy's works 
May 6th, 1862. The wound was in the thigh. After 
many removals, with great suffering, he was brought 
to Campbell Hospital, Washington, where he died 
September i8th, 1862, aged twenty-one years. He 
had the great consolation of his brother's attendance 
in his last days. 

James H. Barry was born in Nova Scotia 1844. 
Spent his youth under the fatherly care of Henry 
D. Coburn of this town. He eagerly enlisted in Co. 
I, 36th Regt., Mass. Vols., July, 1862. Barry was 
in the battles of the regiment at Fredericksburg, 
Vicksburg, Jackson, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, 



•158 HISTORY OF THE 

North Anna, Cold Harbor, and was instantly killed 
on picket duty, in front of Petersburg, July ist, 
1864, the ball passing through his right arm and 
body. He exclaimed, "My God, my God!" and 
ceased to breathe. His fellow soldier, Ansel Snow, 
assisted in his proper burial beside the Norfolk & 
Petersburg railroad. Aged twenty years. 

Samuel A. Snow, adopted son of Ansel Snow of 
Berlin, was born in Milford, son of vSamuel A. and 
Susan Salsbury, 1845. Enlisted in Co. I, 25th Regt., 
Mass. Vols., October 14th, 1861, and followed closely 
the service of his regiment. Was in battle at Roa- 
noke Island, Newbern, Kingston, Whitehall, Golds- 
boro, Port Walthall, Arrowfield Church, N. C. Re- 
enlisted as veteran when the regiinent came to 
Virginia, and was taken prisoner at Drury's Bluff 
May 27th, 1864. He endured the cruelties of Libby 
and Andersonville until October, when he was taken 
to Savannah, thence to Florence, S. C, where he 
died December ist at the age of nineteen. Such 
was the soldier life of a timid, retiring boy, hardly 
known among us, only as a pupil in our schools. 

George H. Bowers was born in Boston. Came 
to this town a stranger, with his family, two years 
before the war. Enlisted in Co. I, 36th Regt., Mass. 
Vols., September, 1862. Died of disease at Coving- 
ton, Ky., September 30th, 1863, aged thirty-six 
years. Particulars of his death unknown. 

Edwin J. Bigelow, son of Horace and Almina 
Bigelow^, early enlisted in service of his country, in 
Co. I, 36th Regt., Mass., Vols., but was discharged 
on account of ill health. Re-enlisted 1864 in 6 ist 
Regt., Mass. Vols., and was killed in making a 



DECEASED SOLDIERS. 




ANSEL L. SNOW. 
JOHN KORrtlN.s. 
LEWIS F. HOWE. 
|.\MES F. RATHHUN. 



KDW \I<D H. H Al< rsllo 
W. I. STETSON. 
KEUBEN A PFKIiV. 



ALONZO F. HOWE. 

CHARLES H. .SNOW. 

CHARLES H. MAYNARD. 

N. li. OARFIELD. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



159 



charge on the enemy's works in front of Petersburg, 
Va., April 2d, 1865 ; aged twenty years. 

RuFUS H. Williams, son of Rufus and Sarah 
Williams, born in Bolton 1843, was not liable to 
military duty, but was urgent to go, and enlisted in 
Co. I, 25th Regt, Mass. Vols., 1861. Died of dis- 
ease at Georgetown, D. C, April 4th, 1862, at the 
age of nineteen years. 

Henry P. Rich, son of James and Sally Rich, 
was born in Northboro 1845. Enlisted 1864 in Co. 
D, 4th Battalion Heavy Artillery, at Fort Independ- 
ence, where he died of disease August nth, 1865, at 
the age of twenty years. 

Tyler Paine, born in vSmithfield, R. I., had been 
a citizen of Berlin some years. At enlistment he 
had four motherless children. He nevertheless gave 
' himself to his country in her need. Enlisted in Co. 
B, 3d Mass. Cavalry. The regiment was in the Red 
River expedition, from which, on return to New 
Orleans, Mr. Paine died of disease, June 15 th, 1864, 
aged forty years. Enlisted January 5 th, 1864. 

Homer E. Stone, son of Isaac and Martha Stone, 
was born in Berlin June 24th, 1843. The health of 
his parents kept him awhile from enlistment. He 
finally joined the 4th Regt., Mass. Cavalry, Co. E, 
September, 1863. His frequent letters are full of 
patriotism and affection. " I know," he says, " the 
cause I am in is right, as sure as there is a God." 
" I am reconciled to my lot." He remitted many 
drawings of his own, representing forts and scenery 
about the James. His service was short. In June, 
1864, he contracted disease of which he died July 
24th, near Petersburg, aged twenty-one j^ears. 



l60 HISTORY OF THE 

Lafayette Warden was born in Illinois. Name 
of parents unascertained. His home among us was 
principally with Mr. Harvey D. Carter. Was mus- 
tered into service in Co. C, 15th Regt., Mass. Vols. 
Died of wounds at Washington, D. C, June 15th, 
1864, aged twenty-two years. He attained to the 
rank of first duty sergeant. 

Watson Wilson, son of James and Persis Wil- 
son. Enlisted in Co. I, 36th Regt., Mass. Vols., 
August 27th, 1862. Died of wounds received at 
Cold Harbor June 3d, 1864. Was in all the battles 
of the regiment. 

Charles D. Starkly, son of Anthony S. and 
Martha Starkey, was born in Berlin July i8th, 1838. 
He spent his youth among us. His health was not 
firm, but he enlisted in 1862 in Co. I, 5th Regt., Mass. 
Vols., for nine months' service. He was in the 
several engagements of his regiment in North Caro- 
lina, but sickened and died at Newbern May 26th, 
1863, aged twenty-five years. His comrades testify 
to his voluntary over-exertions, by which sickness 
was induced. 

Lemuel Gott, Jr., son of Dr. Lemuel and Mary 
Gott, born in Rockport, Cape Ann, February 20th, 
1840, came to this town with his father's family in 
1855. He graduated at the Normal School, West- 
field, in 1862 ; afterwards was principal of the high 
school in Danville, 111. In the midst of great use- 
fulness, sickness compelled him to resign. Recover- 
ing, he was eager for the field. As a trial of strength 
he enlisted in Co. I, 5th Regt., Mass. Vols., for one 
hundred days' service. Suffering a sunstroke,his health 
failed, fever set in, and he died in the hospital at 



TOWN OF BERLIN. l6l 

Baltimore August 29th, 1864, attended by his 
father. His grave is with us. He was twent3'-four 
rears of age, an only son and brother, of great 
promise to friends and society. 

DIED AFTER DISCHARGE, BEFORE THE CLOSE OF THE WAR. 

J. P. N. Johnson, more familiarly known as Pills- 
bury Johnson, son of Edward and Annie Johnson, 
was born in Berlin 1824. He enlisted in Co. F, 13 th 
Regt., Mass. Vols., and was in much of its service 
till the winter of 1862-3. After some service at 
Columbia Hospital, Georgetown, D. C, he was dis- 
charged from the army February 3d, 1863, on ac- 
count of ill health. Returning home he declined 
gradually, and died May 2th, 1864, aged forty years. 

William Florence, son of Daniel G. and Mary 
Florence, born in Marlboro, enlisted in Co. I, 36th 
Regt, Mass. Vols., 1862. Was honorably discharged 
for ill health in February, 1863, at Newport News. 
He gradually declined and died in Berlin May 5 th, 
1863, aged twenty-three years. 

Ezra Bartlett, son of William and Sarah Bart- 
lett, born in Berlin, enlisted for the one hundred 
days' service in the summer of 1864. At Indian- 
apolis, Ind., on guard of rebel prisoners, he con- 
tracted fever, of which he died at Camp Carrington, 
October i6th, aged nineteen years. 

George E. Hartwell enlisted September, 1862, 
in Co. F, 13th Regt., Mass. Vols. W^as discharged 
by surgeon's certificate, and died in Hudson Feb- 
ruary 15th, 1863. The Hudson Encampment have 
erected a tablet over his erave. 



1 62 HISTORY OF THE 

SOLDIERS WHO SURVIVED THE WAR. 
MEMBERS OF THE 1 3TH REGIMENT. 

Edward Barnard, son of Edward and Margaret, 
born in Boston. Enlisted June, 1861, Co. F, 13 th 
Regt. Discharged by surgeon's certificate Feb. 6th, 
1863. Died in Berlin July i6th, 1889, at Francis 
Babcock's, and was buried in our cemetery by Post 

54- 

Samuel E. Fuller, son of Samuel M. and Cath- 
erine, born in Sunderland. Enlisted July i6th, 
1 86 1, in Co. F, 13th Regt. Discharged by expiration 
of term of service August i, 1864, Was taken 
prisoner June, 1863 ; confined in Libby prison. vSub- 
sequently was field nurse in hospital. Residence, 
Clinton. 

James B. Fuller, son of Samuel M. and Catherine, 
born in Berlin. Enlisted in Co. F, 13th Regt., as a 
musician. Residence, Boston. 

Augustus Harper, son of James and Judith, born 
in Roxbury. Enlisted July i6th, 1861, in Co. F, 
13 th Regt. Discharged by surgeon's certificate 
January 7th, 1863. 

Austin Gill, son of Peter and Bridget, born in 
Worcester. Enlisted July 30, 1861, in Co. F, 13 th 
Regt. Discharged at expiration of term of service. 
Wounded in foot -at battle of Petersburg. 

Charles A. Howe, born in Leominster. Enlisted 
June, 1862, in Co. F, 13th Regt. Discharged by 
surgeon's certificate July 7th, 1863. Residence, 
Hudson. 

Samuel M. Haynes, son of Emory and Anna, 
born in Wayland. Enlisted July 16, 1861, in Co. F, 



LIVING SOLDIERS. 










DAVID B. WHITCO.MH. 

WILLARD G. HKUCE. 

SOLON WHEELER. 



A. 



CHAS. K. STAPLES. 

MILTON STAPLES. 
JOS. W. MERRILL. 



HARRISON T. BABCOCK. 

OSCAR W. HOLT. 

JPENCER C. CHAMBERLIN. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 65 

13th Regt., on the quota of Bolton. Discharged 
June 6th, 1863. Re-enlisted December, 1863, in Co. 
B, 59th Regt. Wounded in side at Poplar Grove 
September 30th, 1864; same day in left leg, which 
was amputated below the knee. Discharged July, 
1 865, at Dale Hospital, Worcester. Residence, Hud- 
son. 

Sewell H. Merrill, son of John D. and Mary H.,. 
born in Hampden, Me. Enlisted on quota otf Marl- 
boro July 1 6th, 1 86 1, in Co. F, 13 th Regt.- 
Discharged by surgeon's certificate February 16,. 
1 863 ; was taken prisoner at 2d Bull Run. 

Elliot A. Rich, son of James and Sally, born in 
Northboro. Enlisted July i6th, 1 861, in Co. F, 13 th 
Regt. Discharged by surgeon's certificate January 

9th, 1863. 

Edwin H. Rich, son of James and Sally, bom m 
Northboro. Enlisted July 16, 1861, in Co. F, I3tli 
Regt. Wounded at second battle of Bull Run in 
the leg; at Gettysburg in the wrist. 

Charles H. Roundy, enlisted July, 1861, in Co. 
F, 13 th Regt. Discharged by expiration of term of 
service. Son of Alvin Roundy, born in Boston ; his 
mother was Mrs. Enoch Chamberlin, who died in 
the west part in 1880. Residence, El Paso, Texas. 

Francis B. Russell, son of Samuel of Wayland. 
Enlisted July, 1 86 1 , in Co. I, 1 3th Regt. Discharged 
February 8th, 1862, for deafness. Residence un- 
known. Died in Hudson. 

Zoheth B. Woodbury, son of Israel of Bolton. 
Enlisted on the quota of Marlboro July i6th, 1861, 
in Co. F, 13th Regt., at the age of nineteen years. 
Discharged August ist, 1864. Participated in the 



164 HISTORY OF THE 

following engagements : Thoroughfare Gap, second 
Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, 
Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spottsyl- 
vania; is partially deaf from cannon explosion; was 
promoted to sergeant. Was taken prisoner at Gettys- 
burg July ist, 1863. Residence, Berlin. 

Joseph M. Sawtell, son of Ebenezer vS. Sawtell 
of Berlin, enlisted in Co. F, 1 3th Regt., Mass. Vols., 
and was mustered in July 16, 1861. First service 
was drilling and guard duty for nine months ; then 
service in the Shenandoah valley. Was in the 
second battle of Bull Run ; also in the battles of 
South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chan- 
cellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, 
Spottsylvania, and in all the minor engagements of 
the regiment during its term of service. He was 
promoted to sergeant July ist, 1864, but retained the 
post of color-bearer to the time of discharge. Present 
residence. West Brookfield. 

MEMBERS OF THE 25TH REGIMENT. 

Eli vSawyer, Jr., son of Eli and Azuba, born 
August 9, 1837, in Berlin. Enlisted as musician 
October, 1861, in Co. I, 25th Regt. Discharged 
October 20, 1 864, by expiration of term of service. 
Was with the regiment in its various expeditions 
and engagements. Residence, Westboro. 

David S. Sawyer, son of David and Lavinia, born 
in Leominster. Enlisted October ist, 1861, in Co. 
I, 25th Regt. Discharged October 20th, 1864, by 
expiration of term of service. Died in Berlin. 

Daniel B. Snow, son of Ansel L. and Catherine 
L., born in Nantucket July 3d, 1837. Enlisted 



LIVING SOLDIERS. 




j^ 1^ 






1 




(J 




[.Mil 






k." ^ 




If-j^-trwk \ 



L 




■>. K. I I I.I.KK. 
IIKNKV HUOUN. 
<;E0. L. HOWE. 
A T. MAVNAKD. 



UKNKV MUKAN. 
CIIAKLKS II. liLI.S.S. 



DAMEL 11. SNOW. 

OLI\ER F. WHEELEH. 

AUSTIN GILL. 

JCJSIAH BRIDE. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 65 

September 21st, 1861, in Co. K, 25tli Regt. Dis- 
charged October 20th, 1864, by expiration of term 
of service. Was in the battles of Roanoke Island, 
Kingston, Whitehall, Goldsboro, Deep Gulh^ Rocky 
Hock Creek, siege of Petersburg. Present residence, 
Hyannis, Mass. 

Charles H. Snow, son of Charles and Lucy 
(Wheeler) Snow, born in Billerica. Enlisted October, 
1 86 1, in Co. I, 25th Regt. Discharged October, 
1 864, by expiration of term of service. Continued 
with the regiment in its various movements and 
engagements. After the war he went to Oregon, 
but returned to Berlin, where he spent a few years. 
He died suddenly in Shrewsbury while working for 
Herbert Cook, March 31, 1894. 

Darling S. Wheeler, son of Levi of Richmond, 
N. H., born October 31, 1844. Enlisted while work- 
ing for Jonas Sawyer, September, 1861, in Co. I, 
25 th Regt. Discharged October, 1864, by expiration 
of term of service. Was with the regiment in nearly 
all its engagements. vSince the war he settled in 
Minnesota, where he still resides. 

Solon Wheeler, son of Oliver P. and Harriet, 
born in Keene, N. H. Enlisted November, 1861, in 
Co. I, 25th Regt. Re-enlisted December, 1863. 
Discharged by expiration of whole term of service. 
Residence, Bolton. 

MEMBERS OF THE 2 2D REGIMENT. 

John Q. Maynard, son of Winsor and Cynthia, 
born in Marlboro October 2 2d, 1837. Enlisted 
August 28, 1 86 1, in Co. D, 22d Regt. Discharged 



1 66 HISTORY OF THE 

September 13th, 1864, by expiration of term of serv- 
ice. Was stationed at Hall's Hill, Va. ; transferred 
to Fortress Monroe ; was at the siege of Yorktown. 
His regiment was the first to enter the place. Was 
in the battles of Hanover Court House, Malvern Hill 
and the second battle of Bull Run, — not actively 
engaged ; at the battle of Antietam, not actively 
engaged ; was wounded in the left foot at Fredericks- 
burg December 1 3th, 1862 ; was finally transferred to 
the Veteran Reserve Corps November 15th, 1863. 
Residence, Berlin. 

Frederick Miller, son of Philip and McLean, 
bom in Baden, Germany. Enlisted September 6th, 
1 86 1, in Co. D, 2 2d Regt. Was discharged at Bos- 
ton September 5, 1864, by expiration of term of 
service. Was promoted to sergeant, and was with 
the regiment during all their engagements, and was 
wounded in the arm at the battle of Laurel Hill, 
May 8th, 1864. It is thought by some of his com- 
rades that he performed more hard service than any 
of our soldiers. Residence, Berlin. 

Henry Moran, enlisted August, 1861, in Co. D, 
22d Regt. Deserted December 13, 1862. Re-enlisted 
in 1st Connecticut Regt. of Cavalry and served 
through the war and was honorably discharged. 
Residence, Soldiers' Home, Conn. 

Augustus M. Staples, son of Joseph and Sarah, 
born in Oxford, Me. Enlisted September 6th, 1861, 
in Co. D, 22d Regt. Discharged January 26th, 
1865, by expiration of term of service. Was taken 
prisoner; was in Libby and Andersonville prison 
eleven months, and endured great hardship. Resi- 
dence. Boston. 



LIVING SOLDIERS. 




OLIVtK SAWVEK. 

ELI SAWYER. 

FRANK E. UROWN 

llEN'RV K. HOLDER. 



CHARLES KENNER. 
GEO. A. ELLIS. 



ERANK PAGE. 

JOSEPH A. SAWTELLE. 

JOSIAH CROSnV. 

WEBSTER WARNER. 



lOWN OF BERLIN. I 67 

MEMBERS OF THE 29TH REGIMENT. 

Joseph Staples, son of David and Elizabeth, born 
in Portland, Me. Enlisted December, 1861, in Co. 
H, 29tli Regt. Discharged February, 1864, by sur- 
geon's certificate. Detailed for service in hospital. 
Residence, Berlin. 

George C. Wheeler, son of Levi and Olive, born 
in Berlin. Enlisted as teamster December, 1861, in 
Co. H, 29th Regt. Discharged by expiration of term 
of service. Died in Worcester. 

ENLISTED IN VARIOUS REGIMENTS. 

Thomas Kerby, son of John and Ann, born in 
Nova Scotia. Enlisted October, 1861, in Co. H, 
26th Regt. Discharged by expiration of term of 
service. Residence unknown. 

5 3D REGIMENT FOR NINE MONTHS, 

Rev. Benjamin F. Whittemore, born in Virginia, 
age 38. Was the Methodist minister here 1862. 
He enlisted as chaplain of the 53d Regt. Was 
mustered out vSeptember 2d, 1863. (See article, 
"Methodist Ministers.") 

Samuel E. Andrews, son of James of Boylston. 
Enlisted on the quota of that town September 2d, 

1862, in Co. K, 53d Regt., for nine months. Dis- 
charged September 2d, 1863. Was with General 
Banks' expedition up Red river ; was in the battle of 
Fort Bisland and the siege of Port Hudson, which 
lasted forty-three days, from May 27th to July 9th, 

1863. The company was detailed as division pio- 
neers March loth, 1863, and was transferred to the 
19th Army Corps the 6th of April following as 



1 68 HISTORY OF THE 

pioneers, and continued the same during the 
remainder of the service. Residence, Berlin. 

George H. Andrews, son of James of Boylston 
and brother of Samuel E. They were both in the 
same company and regiment and performed the 
same service. Was on the quota of Boylston. Since 
the war they have resided in this town. Residence, 
Berlin. 

NINE MONTHS MEN — 5TH RECrMENT. 

Francis Babcock, son of Ephraim and j\Iary, 
born in Berlin. Enlisted August 20th, 1862, in Co. 
I, 5th Regt, for nine months. Discharged July 2d, 
J 863, by expiration of term of service. Was in the 
following engagements : Rawl's Mills, Kingston, 
Whitehall, Goldsboro, Deep Gully, Blount's Mills. 

Harrison T. Babcock, son of Josiahand Betsey, 
born in Berlin. Enlisted August 20, 1862, in Co. I, 
5th Regt. Discharged July 2d, 1863, by expiration 
of term of service. Was with the regiment in en- 
gagements at Williamstown, Tarboro, Kino-.ston, 
Whitehall, Goldsboro. At the last place mentioned 
was wounded in the leg, from which injury he did 
not recover during his term of service. 

William T. Babcock, 2d, son of Albert and 
Mary B, born in Berlin. Enlisted August 20, 1862. 
Discharged July 2d, 1863, by expiration of term of 
service. Was with the resfiment in engagements at 
Williamstown, Tarboro, Kingston, Whitehall, Golds- 
boro, Washington, N. C. Re-enlisted for one hundred 
days. 

Charles H. Bliss, son of Henry H. and ]Maria, 
born in Berlin. Enlisted August 20, 1862, in Co. I, 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 69 

5th Regt. Discharged July 2d, 1863, by expiration 
of term of service. Was with the regiment in its 
various engagements. 

WiLLARD G. Bruce, son of Sylvanus and Hannah, 
born in Berlin. Enlisted as musician August 20, 
186.2, in Co. I, 5th Regt. Discharged July 2d, 1863, 
bv expiration of term of service, at • Camp Lander, 
Wenham, Mass. Was stationed at Newbern, N. C, 
and went in the various expeditions of the regi- 
ment in North Carolina. 

James M. Bullard, son of Joel and Judith, born 
in Berlin. Enlisted August 20, 1862, in Co. I, 5th 
Regt. Discharged July 2d, 1863, by expiration of 
term of service. Continued with the regiment 
during its service in North Carolina. Was in the 
battles at Williamstown, Tarboro, Whitehall, Kings- 
ton and Goldsboro. Removed to Worcester after the 
war, and there died. 

George A. Ellis, son of Philo and Charlotte, 
born in Berlin. Enlisted August 20, 1862, in Co. I, 
5th Regt. Discharged July 2d, 1863, by expiration 
of term of service. Participated in nearly all the 
engagements of the regiment. Was taken sick at 
the " Old Red House" (so called), and returned by 
ambulance twenty miles to camp. 

Henry R. Holder, son of John and Caroline, 
born in Berlin. Enlisted as musician August 20, 
1862, in Co. I, 5th Regt. Discharged July 2d, 1863, 
by expiratipn of term of service. 

Augustus L. Hastings, son of Reuben, Jr., and 
Caroline, born in Lancaster. Enlisted August 20, 
1862, in Co. I, 5th Regt. Discharged July 2d, 1863, 
by expiration of term of service. Was in the follow- 



I 70 HISTORY OF THE 

ing engagements : Williamstown, Tarboro, Kings- 
ton, Whitehall, Goldsboro, Deep Gully, Washington, 
Gun Swamp, Cove Creek, Sandy Ridge, Wilkinson's 
Point. 

John A. Merrill, son of John D. and Mary H., 
born in Frankfort, Me. Enlisted August 20, 1862, 
in Co I, 5th Regt. Discharged July 2d, 1863, by 
expiration of term of service. The regiment was 
in the i8th Army Corps in North Carolina. Was 
with the regiment on expeditions in November and 
December, 1862 ; March, April, May and June, 1863 ; 
marching about 400 miles. Was in nine skirmishes 
and battles, which, by order of Commanding General 
John G. Foster, are inscribed on the regimental flag. 

RuFUS C. Sawyer, son of Rufus and Seraph, born 
in Berlin. Enlisted August 20, 1862, in Co. I, 5th 
Regt. Discharged July 2d, 1863, by expiration of 
term of service. Was in the battles of Kingston, 
Whitehall and Goldsboro, N. C, and in other engage- 
ments of less importance. Residence, Hudson, Mass. 

David B. Whitcomb, son of Eliphalet and Har- 
riet, born in New Ipswich, N. H. Enlisted Septem- 
ber, 1862, Co. I, 5th Regt. Discharged July 2d, 
1863, by expiration of term of service. Re-enlisted 
for 100 days. 

Frank W. Paige, son of Jacob and Mehitabel, 
born in South Boston March 19th, 1844. Enlisted 
at Berlin August 20, 1862, in Co. I, 5 th Regt. 
Discharged April i6th, 1863, by surgeon's certificate 
of disability, at Newbern, N. C. 

Again enlisted in Co. D, 6th Regt., V. R. C, August 
14th, 1863, and was with his regiment at the battle 
of Bailey's Cross Roads, Va., and at Early's raid on 



TOWN OF BERLIN. I7I 

the city of Washington, D., C, in July, 1864. In 
September of that year his regiment was sent west 
to Ohio, with headquarters at Johnson's island, to 
assist in breaking up the orders known as " The 
Knights of the Golden Circle" and "The Order of 
the Sons of Liberty." About dark on the 2d of 
November, while Sergeant Paige and four men of 
his detachment were conveying two prisoners from 
St. Mary's to Lima, and when about two miles from 
Waupaukeneta, they were fired upon from the road- 
side by " bush-whackers." At the first volley the 
two prisoners and four guards were instantly killed, 
and all the horses were struck. The horse the ser- 
geant rode, on being struck, began to rear and 
plunge ; the sergeant cleared his feet from the stir- 
rups and jumped for the opposite side of the 
road. While in mid-air another volley was fired, one 
shot of which took effect, striking the hip joint, 
glancing inward and upward, and finally lodged in 
the abdominal cavity. In falling, he landed between 
two dead trees that lay nearly parallel to the road. 
There he lay while the whackers were hunting for 
him ; after a while two of them came and sat down 
on the log behind which he lay wounded. Some of 
the detachment who were left behind at St. Mary's, 
having heard the firing, started down the road on 
the gallop. When the sergeant first heard them 
coming, he quietly drew his revolver, and said, 
" Hands up ; if you move you are both dead men." 
The whackers, not knowing where the voice came 
from, were taken so by surprise that their hands were 
thrown up in token of surrender. In this position 
thev remained until the detachment came to where 



172 HISTORY OF THE 

the dead men and the l:^orses lay in the road, and 
not seeing Paige among the number, called to him. 
He' had ju.st strength enough left to tell them where 
to find him when he fainted. The two prisoners 
taken by the sergeant, together with nine others 
who were captured the next morning, were tried by 
" drum-head court martial," found guilty of murder, 
and were executed about noon. For this little piece 
of work the sergeant was given a medal of honor 
by Congress. He was discharged for gun-shot 
wounds June 30th, 1866. 

Again enlisted in Co. B, 42 d N. Y. Infantry, Jan- 
uary 9th, 1867, and was transferred to Co. B, 6th N. 
Y. Cavalry, March 28, 1867. Detailed as clerk at 
General Meade's headquarters April 27th, 1867, and 
was discharged February i8th, 1879. 

Again enlisted February 19, 1879, ii'^ the general 
service, U. S. A. Assigned to Co. C, 7th N. Y. In- 
fantry, and detailed as clerk at General P. H. Sheri- 
dan's headquarters at Chicago, 111. Was finally 
discharged March i8th, 1881, at the city of Wash- 
ington, D. C, to enable him to accept a clerkship in 
the War Department, with a record of seven wounds 
and over twenty-two years' service. He finally re- 
signed his clerkship in the War Department April 
30th, 1894, completely broken down in health, the 
result of wounds. Total length of service in military 
and civil capacity was thirty-three years. 

George W. Howe, son of Isaac and Rebecca, 
born in Leominster. Enlisted September, 1862, in 
Co. I, 5th Regt. Discharged July 2, 1863, by ex- 
piration of term of service. Was in the service with 
the reofiment in North Carolina. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. I 73 

Lewis T. Howe, son of Epliraim Howe, Jr., and 
Susan, born in Berlin. Enlisted as musician Septem- 
ber, 1862, in Co. I, 5tli Regt. Discharged July 2d, 
1863, bv expiration of term of service. Re-enlisted 
December, 1864, in Captain Scott's Light Battery. 
Discharged June 27, 1865. 

MEMBERS OF THE MASS. 3D CAVALRY. 

George E. Maynakd, son of George W. and 
Sophia, born in Berlin. Enlisted January 5, 1864, in 
Co. B, 3d Cavalry. Discharged by expiration of 
term of service. Was in the Louisiana campaign, 
and in General Banks' expedition up Red river. 
Was killed in a cyclone at Empire Prairie, Mo., 
June, 1880. 

John Robbins, son of Jonathan of vStow, born 
July 8, 1828. Enlisted January 5, 1864, in Co. B, 
3d Cavalry. Discharged May 30, 1865, by surgeon's 
certificate at Dale Hospital, Worcester. Was in the 
Louisiana campaign and in the expedition up Red. 
river. Lost his horse and soon after taken sick. 
Was transferred to Fort Hamilton and thence to 
AVorcester. After the war he settled in Stow. He 
died suddenly in Hudson February 12, 1894. 

Oliver P. Wheeler, son of Joseph and Betsey, 
born in Swanzey, N. H. Enlisted January 5, 1864, in 
Co. B, 3d Cavalry. Discharged November, 1865, 
bv surgeon's certificate. Injured in spine at the 
battle of Sabine Cross Roads, La., by a fall of his 
horse, April 8th, 1864. Was in Banks' campaign up 
Red river. He is still an invalid. Present resi- 
dence, Hudson. 



I 74 HISTORY OF THE 

John L. Day, son of Isaac of wSouthboro, born in 
the town of Hill, N. H., April lo, 1843. Enlisted, 
first February 7th, 1862, in Co. C, U. S. Infantry. 
Was in the Peninsular campaign and at the siege of 
Yorktown. Was discharged for disability December 
5, 1862. Re-enlisted December 19, 1863, in Co. D, 
3d Mass. Cavalry. Was in Banks' Red river cam- 
paign and in the Shenandoah valley under Sheridan. 
Was at the grand review in Washington. Was 
mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Septem- 
ber 28, 1865. Was one of five brothers, all in the 
army at the same time, but not in the same regiment. 
John L. Day was in the following battles and en- 
gagements : Henderson Hill, La., Natchitoches, 
Welch's Hill, Pleasant Hill, Sabine Cross Roads, 
Cane River, Muddy Bayou, Red River Crossing, 
Governor Moore's Plantation, Bayou de Glase, Yel- 
low Bayou. Was transferred to the army of the 
Potomac and in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's 
Hill and Cedar Creek. Since the war he has resided 
mostly in Berlin. 

ENLISTED IN VARIOUS REGIMENTS. 

William B. Campbell, born in Lovell, Qonn. 
Enlisted June, 1861, in Co. B, nth Regt. Dis- 
charged by expiration of term of service. His was 
the first enlistment and service on the same of any 
in town. Thomas F. Rathburn was the first to en- 
list, but not the first in service. Residence un- 
known. 

Levi H. Holder, son of Daniel and Harriet, born 
in Berlin. Enlisted September 25, 1861, in Co. K, 



TOWN or BERLIN. I 75 

27th Regt. Missing May 9, 1864. Left the regi- 
ment in mental aberration. 

Wood J. Burgess, who resided in Groton at the 
time, enlisted in Co. B, 6th Regt., and was mustered 
m April 22, 1861 ; was wounded in Baltimore April 
19, 1 86 1 , when his regiment was attacked by a mob 
while passing through that city. Present residence, 
Berlin, and member of Post 54. Discharged August 
2, 1861. 

MEMBERS OF 36TH REGIMENT. 

Nathan M. Allen, son of Nathan and Harriet^ 
born in Pittsfield, Vt. Enlisted August 13th, 1862, 
in Co. I, 36th Regt. Transferred to V. R. C. July,. 
1864, to Portsmouth Grove, R. I., and discharged 
September, 1865, by expiration of term of service. 
Was detailed most of the time while with the regi- 
ment as cook. He died May 20th, 1886, aged 55 
years. 

George F. Fletcher, son of Ariel K. and Hannah, 
bom in Boston. Enlisted August 6th, 1862, in Co. 
I, 36th Regt. Discharged June, 1865, by special 
order No. 22. Was in the battles of Fredericksburg, 
Vicksburg, Jackson, Campbell Station, Blue Springs, 
siege of Knoxville, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, 
Hanover, North Anna, Cold Harbor and siege of 
Petersburg. At the latter place was wounded in 
the hand. Residence, East Brookfield, 

Oscar W. Holt, son of Warren E. and Miranda,, 
born in Iowa City, Iowa. Enlisted August, 1862, in 
Co. I, 36th Regt. Discharged June, 1865, by special 
order No. 22. He was living in town at the time of 



176 HISTORY OF THE 

enlistment. Was with the regiment in its several 
campaigns. Residence, Hudson, Mass. 

William H. Horton, son of David and Melinda, 
born in Dorchester. Enlisted August 6th, 1862, in 
Co. I, 36th Regt. Discharged June, 1865, b}' special 
order No. 22. Died. 

Amory T. Maynard, son of Winsor and Cynthia, 
born in Bolton December 27th, 1842. Enlisted 
August 6th, 1862, in Co. I, 36th Regt. Promoted 
to corporal October i8th, 1862 ; to sergeant December' 
I St, 1863. Discharged November iith, 1864, by 
reason of disability. Was in the battle of Freder- 
icksburg, Va., Vicksburg, Jackson, Blue Springs, 
Campbell vStation, siege of Knoxville, Wilderness, 
North Anna, where he was taken w4th sunstroke and 
sent to Campbell Hospital. Residence, Marlboro. 

WiLLL-VM H. King, adopted son of Nathaniel 
King, born in Lynn. Enlisted August 6th, 1862, in 
Co. I, 36th Regt. Discharged June, 1865, by special 
order No. 22. Was detailed for special service in 
the Ambulance Corps. Was with the regiment in its 
various movements in A^irginia, Mississippi and 
Tennessee. After the war he settled in Worcester. 
He naturally had a real military instinct and address. 
Died in California. 

Joseph E. Kimball, enlisted August 6th, 1862, in 
Co. I, 36th Regt. Was detailed as teamster. 

John F. Martin, son of Patrick and Mary, born 
in Utica, N. Y. Enlisted August 6th, 1862, in Co. 
I, 36th Regt. Discharged by expiration of term of 
service. He is reported to have been a good soldier, 
and participated in nearly all the engagements of the 
reofiment. Died in New York city. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. ryy 

Israel F. Carter, son of Ivory and Olive, born 
in Berlin. Enlisted August, 1862, in Co. I, 36th 
Regt. Discharged June, 1865, by special order Xo. 
22, series 1865. Was in the following engagements : 
Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, Jackson, Campbell vSta- 
tion. Blue Springs, siege of Knoxville, Wilderness. 
At the latter he was wounded in left breast, and at 
the sieofe of Petersburo- the drum of his ear was 
ruptured by the concussion of the cannonading. He 
died in the Insane Asylum at Worcester February 
19th, 1893, aged 54 years. 

Harvey J. Chase, son of Lorenzo and Judith, 
born in Haverhill, N. H. Enlisted August 6th, 
1862, in Co. I, 36th Regt. Discharged June, 1865, 
by expiration of term of service. He is reported to 
have served faithfully during the service. Was 
living in Berlin at the time of enlistment. Residence 
unknown. 

John F. Crossman, an adopted son of John W. 
Grossman, born in Bolton. Enlisted August 6th, 
1862, in Co. I, 36th Regt. Discharged ]\Iarch, 1865, 
by special order Xo. ']'], on surgeon's certificate. 
Residence, Berlin. 

Spencer C. Chamberlin, son of vSpencer C. and 
Lucinda F., born in Thetford, Vt. Enlisted August 
6th, 1862, in Co. I, 36th Regt. Discharged May, 
1865, by special order Xo. 22. Was detailed as 
clerk during the last part of the service. Promoted 
to corporal. Residence, Xew Bedford. 

Oliver Sawyer, son of Ira and Abigail, born in 
Berlin May 27th, 1 830* Enlisted as musician August 
1 2th, 1862, in Co. I, 36th Regt. Discharged June 
Sth, 1865, by special order Xo. 22. Was in the 



lyS HISTORY OF THE 

battles of Fredericksburg, Jackson, Campbell vStation, 
siege of Knoxville, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Han- 
over, Cold Harbor and siege of Petersburg. Residence, 
Hudson, Mass. 

Ansel L. Snow, son of Ansel L. and Dorcas L., 
born in Nantucket. Enlisted August 6th, 1862, in 
Co. I, 36tli Regt. Promoted corporal August, 1862. 
Discharged June, 1865, by special order No. 22. 
Was left sick when the regiment went west, and was 
detailed as clerk in hospital at AVashington. On 
return of the regiment rejoined the same. Was in 
the battles of the Wilderness, vSpottsylvania, Hanover, 
North Anna, Cold Harbor and siege of Petersburg. 
He died in Berlin June i8th, 1874, at 43 years. 

Warren I. Stetson, son of William of Marlboro, 
enlisted July 16, 1861, in Co. I, 13th Regt. Was 
promoted to first sergeant ; was wounded in the 
forehead by a piece of shell at the battle of vSpottsyl- 
vania. Died in Berlin Mar. 19, 1887. 

MASSACHUSETTS HEAVY ARTILLERY. 

The first battalion in which our soldiers served 
was stationed at Fort Independence and Fort Warren, 
Boston harbor. 

Austin Kerby, son of John and Ann, born in 
AVorcester. Enlisted April, 1862, in the ist Bat- 
talion, Co. D, Heavy Artillery. Discharged Septem- 
ber, i865,by expiration of term of service. Residence 
unknown. 

Joseph C. Badger, enlisted December, 1863, in 
I St Battalion, Co. D, Mass. Heavy Artillery. 
Discharged September, 1865, by expiration of term 
of service. Residence unknown. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. I 79 

Joseph W. Merrill, son of John D. and Mary H. 
Enlisted December, 1863, in ist Battalion, Co. D, 
Mass. Heavy Artillery. Discharged September, 
1865, by expiration of term of service. Residence, 
Maynard, Mass. 

Ja.mes F. Rathburn, son of Solomon and Hannah, 
born in Berlin. Enlisted December, 1863, in ist 
Battalion, Co. D, Mass. Heavy Artillery. Discharged 
September, 1865, by expiration of term of serv- 
ice. 

Charles F. vStaples, son of Joseph and Sarah, 
born in Portland, Me. Enlisted December, 1863, in 
ist Battalion, Co. D, Mass. Heavy Artillery. Dis- 
charged September, 1865, by expiration of term of 
service. Residence, Leominster. 

PHn.o Bruce, son of Sewell and Eunice, born in 
Berlin. Enlisted September, 1864, for one year in 
Co. C, Mass. Heavy Artillery. Discharged Ma}-, 
1865, by expiration of term of service. Was in 
service at Newbern, N. C. Detailed for transporting 
wood and lumber. Was sick in Foster General 
Hospital December, 1864. Residence, Berlin. 

ENLISIKD FOR ONK HUNUKED DAYS — SERVICE IN AND AROUND 
liALlLMORE. 

Wu.liam T. Babcock, 21), son of Albert and Mary 
B.. born in Berlin. Enlisted July 19th,- 1864, in Co. 
I, 5th Regt. Discharged November i6th, 1864, by 
expiration of term of service. Stationed with the 
company in and about Baltimore. Headquarters at 
Federal hill. 

Charles A. Bartlett, son of Amory A. and 
Jane, born in Berlin. Enlisted July i6th, 1864. in 



I So " HISTORY OF THE 

Co. I, 5tli Regt. Discharged November, 1864, by 
expiration of term of service. 

JosiAH W. Bride, son of Amos and Hannah, born 
in Berhn. EnHsted July i6th, 1864, in Co. I, 5th 
Regt. Discharged November, 1864, by expiration 
of term of service. 

WiLLARD G. Bruce, son of Sylvanns and Hannah, 
born in Berlin. Enlisted July 8th, 1864, in Co. I, 
5th Regt. Discharged November, 1864, by expira- 
tion of term of service. Was stationed at Federal 
hill, Baltimore. 

Edward H. Hartshorn, son of Dr. Edward and 
Elizabeth, born in Berlin. Enlisted July i6th, 1864, 
in Co. I, 5th Regt. Discharged November, 1864, by 
expiration of term of service. Died in Berlin January 
8th, 1887. 

Augustus L. Hastings, son of Reuben, Jr., and 
Caroline, born in Lancaster. Enlisted July, 1864, in 
Co. I, 5th Regt. Discharged November, 1864, by 
expiration of term of service. 

George L. Howe, son of Lyman and Rebecca, 
born in Marlboro. Enlisted July, 1864, in Co. I, 5th 
Regt. Discharged November, 1864, by expiration 
of term of service. 

William H. Tenney, enlisted July, 1864, in Co. I, 
5th Regt. Discharged November, 1864, by expira- 
tion of term of service. 

David B. Whitcomb, son of Eliphalet and Harriet, 
born in New Ipswich, N. H. Enlisted July, 1864, 
in Co. I, 5th Regt. Discharged November, 1864. by 
expiration of term of service. 

Henry E. Brown, son of Ira and Amelia H., born 
November 21st, 1846, in Berlin. Enlisted July 8th, 



TOWN OF BERLIN. l8l 

1864, in Co. I, 5 th Regt. Discharged by expiration 
of term of service November i6th, 1864. Re-enlisted 
December /tli, 1864, in Captain Henry D. vScott's 
company, i6th Light Battery. Discharged June 
27th, 1865. 

Frank E. Brown, son of Ira and Amelia H., born 
May 6th, 1848, in Berlin. Enlisted July 8th, 1864, 
in Co. I, 5th Regt. Discharged November, 1864, by 
expiration of term of service. 

IN THE NAVAL SERVICE. 

Benjamin vS. Walker, a native of Loudon, N. 
H., but now a citizen of this town. (See Genealogy.) 
Was in the naval service. Enlisted September 27th, 
1 86 1, for three years. vServed first on the Brandy- 
wine. Was transferred to the frigate Congress and 
was on board of that ill-fated vessel when she was 
run into and sunk by the rebel cruiser Merrimac ; he 
had a thrilling experience and a most wonderful 
escape from injury during this engagement. He 
served next on the Roanoke, and from her was sent 
to the Naval Hospital, N. Y., with typhoid fever. 
After recovery he went aboard the iron-clad monitor 
Montauk, and joined the fleet of monitors at Fortress 
Monroe, bound for Port Royal, vS. C. Among these 
was the Little Monitor, so-called, which pelted and 
disabled the Merrimac, but was finally lost in a gale 
oft" Cape Hatteras, which was so furious as to have 
sent seemingly the whole fleet to the bottom. Was 
engaged in the siege of Charleston until the 25 th 
day of April, 1863, when he was discharged. Again 
he entered the naval service in July, 1863, and was 



1 82 HISTORY OF THE 

for the remainder of the war engaged in the coast 
survey. He was not on the quota of Berlin. 

John A. Riley, since changed to John A. Ray, 
was a blacksmith in South Berlin in 1861. He 
enlisted on our quota in 1861 in the naval service. 
Discharged 1865 b}^ expiration of term of service. 

OTHER RECRUITS PAID LARGE BOUNTIES. 

Vf/cran Reserve Corps. 

David C. Ritenour, enlisted May ist, 1864, in 
V. R. C. 

Charles Keisner, enlisted May 3d, 1864, in V. 
R. C. 

George Odell, enlisted May 12th, 1864. in V. 
R. C. 

George Kasilex, enlisted May 5 th, 1864, in V. 
R. C. 

Ephraim W. Howard, enlisted May 5th, 1864, in 
V. R. C. 

Lewis Cassidy, enlisted May 5th, 1864, in V. R. C. 

David R. Brown, enlisted September 15 th, 1864, 
in V. R. C. 

Afass. Cavalry. 

William Wilson, enlisted November 7th, 1864, 

in 5th Regt., Cavalry. 

Henry Gray, enlisted November 9th, 1864, in ist 

Regt., Cavalry. 

Heavy Artillery. 

George Off, enlisted November 2d, 1864, in ist 
Regt, Mass, Heavy Artillery. 

Thomas Sullivan, enlisted November ist, 1864, 
in 3d Regt., Mass. Heavy Artillery. 

J. W. Morrill, enlisted October 26th, 1864, in 3d 
Regt., Mass. Heavy Artillery. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 83 

John A. Thompson, enlisted September lotli, 
1864, in 2d U. S. Heavy Artillery. 

George Fisher, enlisted September i2tli, 1864, in 
2d U. S. Heavy Artillery. 

Charles Jones, enlisted September 20th, 1 864, in 
ist U. S. Heavy Artillery. 

Perry Smith, enlisted September 2d, 1864, in ist 
U. S. Heavy Artillery. 

Charles Hearsh, enlisted May 4tli, 1864. 

Roger Loughlin, enlisted May 3d, 1864. 

Simon Lent, enlisted September 8th, 1864, in ist 
Regt., U. vS. Infantry. 

Charles M. Lovejov, enlisted October 27tli, 1864, 
in ist Regt., Mass. Vols. 

Marvin J. Day, enlisted October 26tli, 1864, in 
4th Mass. Battery. 

George Monroe, enlisted November 2d, 1864, in 
2d Mass. Infantry. « 

Roger Murphy, enlisted May 30th, 1864. 

Jared S. Stone, enlisted May 20th, 1864. 

Charles F. Johnson. 

John M. Smith. 

Reuben A. Derby, enlisted September, 1864. 

1864. 
Enrolled militia. May, 1864. Those having dis- 
abilities are marked *. 

Allen, Sumner D., 
Andrews, Samuel E.,* 
Babcock, William I.,* 
Babcock, Levi,* 
Babcock, George A., 
Babcock, William T.,* 
Babcock, William T., 2d,^ 



Age. 




Ase. 


21 


Babcock, Francis, 


31 


25 


Babcock, John D., 


19 


35 


Ball, Jonas T.,* 


31 


24 


Bassett, William,* 


44 


19 


Bartlett, Amory A., 


42 


31 


Bartlett, Charles A., 


18 


23 


Barnes, George H., 


32 



184 



HISTORY OF THE 



Bennett, John F.,* 

Benway, John,* 

Berry, Thomas C.,* 

Bigelow, Elijah, 

Bigelow, Edwin, dis., 

Bruce, George H., 

Bruce, Willard G., 

Bruce, Lorenzo,* 

Bride, Daniel M.,* 

Bride, Josiah W., 

Bullard, James M., 

Burke, Michael, alien, 

Bliss, Charles H.,* 

Bullard, Chas., alien. 

Carter, Lewis L.,* 

Carter, Silas R.,* 

Carter, Jonas H.,* 

Cartwright, Thomas, alien, 24 

Cart'wright, N. H., 

Coburn, Joseph L.,* 

Grossman, Frank H., 

Crosby, George L.,* 

Eastman, Timothy M., 

Ellis, George A., 

Fay, Nahum W.,* 

Fay, James R.,* 

Fay, Henry D., 

Frye, William H.,* 

Frye, George F.,* 

Frye, David A ,* 

Frye, Abram,* 

Felton, Merrick, 

Fletcher, Charles E., 

Faulkner, George A.,* 

Forbes, John W.,* 



Ag-e. 




Age. 


35 


Fosgate, George VV.,* 


40 


32 


Fosgate, Reuben P.,* 


37 


29 


Flagg, Edward W., 


41 


43 


Gallagher, John, alien. 


35 


20 


Garroty, James, alien. 


33 


26 


Goddard, Marcus M., 


24 


24 


Green, Edward F.,* 


42 


43 


Gott, Lemuel, Jr.,* 


24 


24 


Gurtain, Theodore, 


21 


iS 


Gill, Michael, alien. 


30 


27 


Hale, Thomas,* 


39 


32 


Hartwell, Chauncey P.,* 


42 


24 


Hartwell, Daniel P.,* 


29 


28 


Hartshorn, Levi, 


36 


42 


Hartshorn, Edward H.,* 


21 


35 


Hartshorn, William H., 


18 


23 


Hastings, Rufus S.,* 


38 


24 


Hastings, Samuel H., s. s. 


, 34 


20 


Hastings, James M., 


25 


24 


Hastings, Timothy F.,* 


27 


19 


Hastings, Ruthven, 


21 


31 


Harper, Augustus,* 


26 


25 


Harper, James, 


27 


20 


Howe, Samuel, 


36 


43 


Howe, George L., 


20 


40 


Holder, Henry R.^ 


28 


18 


Holbrook, Isaac, s. s., 


26 


36 


Howard, George W.,* 


44 


32 


Hastings, Augustus L., 


21 


24 


Jones, Solomon,* 


40 


22 


Jones, Silas E., 


26 


40 


Johnson, George E.,* 


30 


24 


Johnson, Andrew J.,* 


28 


29 


Jenkins, William,* 


40 


37 


Kelley, John M.,* 


29 



TOWN OF HERIIN. 



185 



Keyes, Addison,* 
Kimball, Joseph E.,* 
Lawrence, Edward H.,* 
Larkin, John F.,* 
Larkin, Dana M., s. s., 
Lewis, Jno. B., 
Longley, Abel W.,* 
Maynard, George H., 
Merrill, Seth W., 
Merrill, Jno. A., 
Merrill, Sewall H.,* 
Merrill, George W., 
Moore, Marshall, 
Moore, Samuel W.,* 
Moore, Josiah, 
Morse, Winslow B., 
Morse, Emory,* 
Morse, Walter, 
Morse, Lyman, s. s.. 
Miller, William,* 
McCarty, Florence, alien, 
Nourse, Rufus S ,* 
Osgood, Jno. O., 
Peters, Warren S., 
Pollard, Amory,* 
Proctor, Joel,* 
Rathbun, Charles B ,* 
Randall, Paul A ,* 
Rand, Merrick R., 
Rich, Elliot,* 
R issell, Frank B., dis. sol. 
Riley, John A., 
Sawyer, Edwin,* 
Sawyer, Joseph B.,* 
Sawyer, Rufus C., 



'\se. 




Age. 


37 


Sawyer, William G., s. s., 


30 


37 


Sawyer, William H., 


18 


32 


Sawyer, Amory B., 


42 


37 


Sawyer, Henry J., 


22 


35 


Sawyer, Edward N.,* 


20 


29 


Sawyer, J. Henry, 


18 


40 


Sawyer, Ira J., 


44 


25 


Sargent, John E., 


21 


44 


Sargent, Stephen W., drafted 


36 


and rejected. 


20 


25 


Southwick, Jona. D., 


33 


18 


Shattuck, EUjah C., 


43 


44 


Shattuck, Hartwell,* 


29 


29 


Spofford, James R., 


43 


30 


Smith, Riley, 


42 


40 


Smith, Addison G.,* 


35 


38 


Simonds, James I\L, 


40 


3' 


Sibley, Augustus, drafted 


25 


and rejected, 


28 


30 


Stone, George D., 


30 


43 


Tenney, William, dis. 2 


(1 


41 


N. H., 


26 


30 


Wheeler, David B., 


40 


18 


Wheeler, Nathaniel, 


3^ 


42 


Wheeler, Robert B.,* 


29 


44 


Wheeler, Richard M., s. s. 


, 29 


27 


Wheeler, Rufus R., enrolh 


?d 


33 


and rejected. 


39 


35 


Wheeler, Reuben A., 


41 


22 


Wheeler, Willard M.,* 


39 


23 


Wheeler Francis A.,* 


28 


39 


Wheeler, Frederick W. 


) 


43 


too small. 


26 



31 



Wheeler, Elias L., drafted 
and rejected, 1 



29 



HISTORY 


OF THE 




Age. 




Ase 


31 


Whitcomb, David B., 


26 


26 


Woodbury, George, 


(lis. 


44 


13th Regt., 


27 




Wolcott, David K., 


26 




Vinal, Charles F., 


29 



186 



AVheeler, Erastus S., 
Wheeler, Lewis B., 
Wheeler, George F., 
Wheeler, Edward L., 
Wheeler, Alfred C., 
Whitcomb, Amasa A., 32 

Number enrolled, 158 ; number claimed to be in- 
validvS, 66 ; aliens, 7 ; 6 drafted and sent substitutes, 
marked s. s., or paid commutation, $300. 

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC, POST 54. 

Post 54, G. A. R., was organized June 23, 1868, bv 
Comrade Ira B. Goodrich, of Post 9 of Hudson, 
with ten charter members, viz. : S. E. Andrews, 
Donald Ross, I. F. Carter, E. H. Hartshorn, G. H. 
Andrews, William vSmith, J. M. Bullard, D. B. 
Whitcomb, Frederick Miller and W. T. Babcock, 2d, 
taking its number from the fact of its being the fifty- 
fourth Post to organize in the Department of Mas- 
sachusetts. 

Its first commander was William H. Horton. On 
September 25 th, after much discussion, the Post 
adopted the name of John B. Gough, which they 
retained until February ist, 1881, when a committee 
was chosen to act in regard to changing its name. 
This committee reported the name of Captain C. vS. 
Hastings, which was adopted. The entire number 
of names on the roll is sixty-nine, the greatest num- 
ber of members in the Post at any one time be- 
ing forty-eight. The present number is nineteen. 
They have lost eight of their number by death, and 
many more by removal and transfer. The objects 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 87 

for which this Post was organized, as set forth in the 
rules and regulations of the Grand Army .of the 
Republic, are: 

I. To preserve and strengthen those kind and fraternal 
feelings which bind together the soldiers, sailors and marines 
who united to suppress the late Rebellion, and to perpetuate 
the memory and history of the dead. 

■ 2. To assist such former comrades in arms as need help 
and protection, and to extend needful aid to the widows and 
orphans of those who have fallen. 

3. To maintain true allegiance to the United States of 
America, based upon a paramount respect for, and fidelity to, 
its Constitution and laws, to discountenace whatever tends to 
weaken loyalty, incites to insurrection, treason or rebellion, or 
in any manner impairs the efficiency and permanency of our 
free institutions, and to encourage the spread of universal 
liberty, equal rights and justice to all men. 

It is also worthy of note that no member can in 
any manner use this organization as a political in- 
strument, and no political discussions are permitted 
at any of its meetings. In chapter V, article XII 
of the regulations is found this provision. 

A relief fund for the assistance of needy soldiers, 
sailors and marines, and widows and orphans of 
deceased soldiers, sailors and marines, shall be 
established by the several posts, and any donations 
to this fund shall be held sacred for such purpose. 

In accordance with this a fund was duly estab- 
lished in our Post. Since its establishment the 
Post has expended $530 for the relief of soldiers and 
their families. At present they have in their fund 
$330. In addition to this they have expended about 



1 88 HISTORY OK THE . 

$300 for the purchase of the pictures of those soldiers 
of Berhn who died during and since the war. In 
connection with the rehef fund, they have been 
greatlv aided both by the Ladies' Aid Society and 
Sons of Veterans. 

In 1870 Memorial day was established by the 
National Encampment, for the purpose of commem- 
orating the deeds and memory of the fallen com- 
rades. Since then, on each 30th of May, they have 
tenderly decked their graves with flowers. Their 
number has slowly but steadily increased, until on 
last IMemorial day they decked the graves of twenty- 
seven of our soldier dead. 

Roster of members of Post 54, G. A. R., Berlin, 
Mass., from the time of its organization, June 23, 
1868 :— 

Frederick Miller, Berlin. 

Samuel E. Andrews, Berlin. 

George H. Andrews, Berlin. 

Donald Ross, removed to Hudson. 

E. A. Hartshorn, died Jan. 18, 18S7. 

\V. T. Babcock, Berlin. 

James M. Bollard, transferred to Post 10, Worcester ; died at 

Worcester. 
D. B. Whitcomb, removed to Clinton. 
I. F. Carter, died at the hospital at Worcester. 
William Smith, removed to Brockton. 
Joseph Staples, Berlin. 

William H. Horton, transferred to Fitchburg ; died at Fitchburg. 
O. W. Holt, transferred to Post 9, Hudson. 
J. F. Keyes, removed to Clinton. 
James F. Rathbun, dead. 
A. L. Snow, died June 18, 1874. 
J. Q. Maynard, Berlin. 



G. A. R., POST 54. 





' f ' 











IKNJAMIN S. WAI.KEK. 

JOHN L. DAY. 

S. K. ANDREWS. 



K. C. SAWVKK. 

JOHN JONIiS. 

JOHN Q_. MAVNAKD. 



JOHN H. CHOSSMAN. 
WILLIAM T. HABCOCK, 2ND. 
JOHN ROSE. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 89 

S. C. Chamberlain, transferred to New Bed for I. 
S. E. Fuller, transferred to Post 9, Huds m. 
S. M. Haynes, discharged, removed to Hu.lson 

A. T. Maynard, transferred to Post 43, Marr'orij. 
Joseph E. Kimball, residence unknown. 

Waldo Kimmins, residence unknown. 

G. F. Fletcher, removed to Barre. 

Charles C. Wright, died at Marlboro. 

Eli Sawyer, removed to Westboro. 

Edward Chamberlain, died May, i^iyo, at Oakham. 

John F. Rose, Hudson. 

N. M. Allen, died at Berlin. 

R. C. Sawyer, Hudson. 

S. H. Merrill, Berlin. 

Francis Babcock, Berlin. 

George L. Howe, removed to Marlbo''o. 

John F. Klenart, transferred to Post 43. 

John F. Grossman, Berlin. 

H. A. Gunnison, removed to Hudson. 

S, Foster Goss, removed to Marlboro. 

H. E. Graves, residence Bi^lton. 

B. F. Allen, residence unknown. 
John A. Merrill, Berlin. 

H. H. Bartlett, residence unknown. 

G. VV. Goodwin, dropped from the rolls, residence unknown. 

C. H. Bliss, Berhn. 

S. H. Parker, transferred to Post 9. 
C. F. Staples, removed to Leominster. 
A. M. Staples, removed to Northb )ro. 
L. P. Parker, transferred to Post 43. 
Charles McDavitt, removed to Lynn. 
John L. Bruce, removed to Concord. 
George E. Bigelow, residence unknown. 
John L. Day, Berlin. 
Charles F. Hale, Berlin. 
Augustus Harper, Berlin. 



igo 



HISTORY OF THE 



Otis K. Upham, Berlin. 

Warren I. Stetson, died at Berlin. 

A. C. Rivers, removed to Lowell. 

John Adams, dead. 

Francis Gleason, residence unknown. 

E. S. Bryant, dead. 

Z. B. Woodbury, Berlin. 

John A. Jones, Berlin. 

Charles H. Snow^ died at Shrewsbury. 

James Morra, died at Waltham. 

Philo Bruce, Berlin. 

Wood J. Burgess, Berlin. 

Benjamin S. Wa'ker, Berlin. 

Eben S. Daily, residence Berlin. 



Number of members . 


66 


Number of deaths 


12 


Present number .... 


19 


Amount in relief fund 


■ $330 


Amount expended for relief 


• 530 



The following comrades have served as post com- 
manders since its organization : 

William H. Horton, from June 2, 1868, to Jan., 1869. 
S. C. Chamberlain, from Jan. 8th, 1869, to July, 1869. 
Frederick Miller, from July, 1869, to Jan., 1870. 
E. H. Hartshorn, from Jan., 1870, to Jan., 187 c. 
John F. Rose, from Jan., 187 1, to Jan., 1872. 
Araory T. Maynard, from Jan., 1872, to Jan., 1873. 
R. C. Sawyer, from Jan., 1873, to Jan., 1874. 
W. T. Babcock, from Jan., 1874, to Jan., 1S75. 
John F. Rose, from Jan., 1875, to Jan., 1876. 
Warren I. Stetson, from Jan., 1S76, to Jan., 1877. 
S C. Chamberlain, from Jan., 1877, to Jan., 1878. 
Ctiarles H. Bliss declined to serve and G. H. Andrews served 
in his place, from Jan., 1878, to Jan., 1879. 



G. A. R., POST 54. 




"•I 



?" 




V 





^^1P^ 





rillLO HKICE. 
FRANCIS HABCOCK. 
GEO. H. ANDKEWS. 



ZOHETH WOODBURY. 

FREDERICK MILLER. 

JOSEPH STAPLES. 



SEWELL H. MERRILL. 
JNO. A. MERRILL. 
WOOD ]. BURGESS. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 Q I 

Lvsander P. Parker, from Jan., 1879, to Jan., 18S0. 
S. H. Merrill, from Jan., 1880, to Jan., 1881. 
John L. Bruce, from Jan., 1881, to Jan., 1885. 
John A. Merrill, from Jan., 1885, to Jan., 18S7. 
G. H. Andrews, from Jan., 1887, to Jan., 1889. 
John L. Day, from Jan., 1889, to Jan., 1892. 
William T. Babcock, from Jan., 1892, to Jan., 1S93. 
John A. Merrill, from Jan., 1893, to Jan., 1895. 

"The Grand Army of the Republic as to Post 54 
of Berlin is sadly diminishing, but the sons of the 
veterans are already organized. May the Grand 
Army of the Republic Jong survive! Our last sur- 
vivor of the War of 181 2, many 3^ears seated on the 
platform on Memorial day, died in 1886: John D. 
^Merrill, eighty-eight years. " The above was taken 
from ;Mr. Houghton's history of Berlin in the History 
of Worcester County. 

SONS OF VETERANS. 

The " E. H. Hartshorn Camp, No. 43, Division of 
^lass. vSons of Veterans," was organized March 26, 
1888, with twelve charter members, all residents of 
Berlin, mustered in April 23, 1888, viz.: 

Elmer E. Allen, son of Nathan M. Allen, age 26. . 
James E. Andrews, son of George H. Andrews, age 22. 
Arthur K. Andrews, son of Samuel E. Andrews, age 20. 
George E. Andrews, son of Samuel E. Andrews, age iS. 
Spencer C. Chamberlin, Jr., son of S. C. Chamberlin, age 25. 

Forest E. Day, son of John L. Day, age 22. 

l.cvvis E. Day, son of John L. Day, age 20. 

Frank E. Knight, son of George W. Knight, age 21. 
<. hailes L. Knight, son of George W. Knight, age 18. 



192 HISTORY OF THE 

Walter E. Merrill, son of John A. Merrill, age 18. 
Robert M. Pratt, son of Wheelock Pratt, age 25. 
Fred R. H. Stetson, son of Warren I. Stetson, age 18. 

Members who have joined since the organization 
of the Camp, viz. : 

Mervin N. Burdett, son of George Burdett, age 37. 
Christopher S. White, son of Daniel A. White, age 25. 
Edward F. Saltmarsh, son of Alonzo F. Saltmarsh, age 18. 
Eugene Mitchell, son of E. A. Mitchell, age 18. 
Christopher W^heeler, son of Oliver P.Wheeler, age 37. 
William A. Hartshorn, son of Edward H. Hartshorn, age 18. 
Perry H. White, son of Daniel A. White, age 18. 
Fred E. Hebard, son of E. A. Hebard, age 18. 
Zoheth H. Woodbuiy, son of Zoheth B. Woodbury, age 21. 

Officers chosen at date of organization, viz. : Cap- 
tain, Robert M. Pratt ; First Lieutenant, James E. 
Andrews ; Second Lieutenant, Lewis E. Dry ; First 
Sergeant, Spencer C. Chamberlin, Jr. ; Second Ser- 
geant, Walter E. Merrill; Color vSergeant, George 

E. Andrews ; Sergeant of the Guard, F. E. Kniofht , 
Principal jNIusician, F. E. Day ; Corporal of the 
Guard, E. E. Allen ; Picket Guard, A. K. Andrews ; 
Camp Guard, C. S. Knight ; Camp Council, F. E. 
Knight, F. R. H. Stetson and F. E. Day ; Chaplain, 

F. R. H. Stetson. 

Officers, 1895 : Captain, Walter E. Merrill; First 
Lieutenant, George E. Andrews ; Second Lieutenant, 
C. S. Knight. 

coxsrnunoN of the order. 

CHAPTER I. 

Aiticle I. — Title. 
This association shall be known as the " S ms of Veterans of 
the United States of America." 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 93 

Article II. 

Section i. A firm belief and trust in Almighty God and a 
realization that under His beneficent guidance the free institu- 
tions of our land, consecrated by the services and blood of our 
fathers, have been preserved, and the integrity and life of the 
nation maintained. 

Sec. 2. True allegiance to the government of the United 
States of America, based upon a respect for and devotion and 
fidelity to its Constitution and laws, manifested by the dis- 
countenancing of anything that may tend to weaken loyalty, 
incite to insurrection, treason or rebellion, or in any manner 
impair the efficiency and permanency of our national Union. 

Article III. — Objects. 

Section i . To keep green the memories of our fathers and 
their sacrifices for the maintenance of the Union. 

Sec. 2. To aid the members of the Grand Army of the 
Republic in the caring for their helpless and disabled veterans ; 
to extend aid and protection to their widows and orphans ; to 
perpetuate the memory and history of their heroic dead and 
proper observance of Memorial day. 

Sec. 3. To aid and assist worthy and needy members of 
our order. 

Sec. 4. To inculcate patriotism and love of country not 
only among our membership, but among all the people of our 
land, and to spread and sustain the doctrine of equal rights, 
universal liberty and justice to all. 

Articles 4 and 5 on organizations, etc., omitted. 

GIFT REJECTED, 1 865. 

Luther Carter, in his last will and testament, be- 
queathed to the town, for the benefit of the poor 
widows, fatherless, motherless and orphan children 
of Berlin, a certain portion of his estate. The gift 
was rejected vSeptember 25, 1865. 



194 HISTORY OF THE 

THE HUDSON CONTROVERSY — NO DIVISION OF THE 
TOWN WANTED. 

The petitioners of the new town of Hudson pro- 
posed to include in the Act of Incorporation a por- 
tion of the east part of Berlin. To this the town 
demurred, and. chose at a meeting held December 5, 
1865, a committee, consisting of Dr. Hartshorn, 
William Bassett and A. W. Longley, to oppose the 
project. As is well known, the committee were 
successful and the town remained intact. 

THE NEW TOWN HOUSE, 1 869. 

The town was greatly in need of better accommo- 
dations for the transaction of town business, for 
social parties and for public gatherings in general. 
The diminutive old Town House on the Common 
had subserved the town since 1831, when the wants 
and needs of the people were less and more easily 
satisfied. Impelled by a common impulse the people 
would be content no longer with the old, and resolved 
to have a new house more in accord with the progres- 
sive spirit of the age. The first movement to this 
end was made at the March meeting, 1868, when a 
committee was chosen to procure plans and estimates 
and report localities, and also for tablets for the 
soldiers to be placed in said house: Josiah E. 
Sawyer, P. B. Southwick, Israel Sawyer, Samuel H. 
Hastings and A. W. Longle}^ On report of the 
committee March i, 1869, they voted to build 
a Town House the present year, the cost not to 
exceed $6,500, and chose for a Building Committee 
Dr. E. Hartshorn, Silas Sawyer, Daniel Cartwright, 
George H. Barnes and Riley Smith. March 20th, 




R. S. HASTINGS' STORE. 




TOWN HALL. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 95 

voted that the Town House be located on the lot of 
Mr. Artemas Barnes, who had tendered the lot as a 
free gift to the town for that purpose. The following 
resolutions, presented by William Bassett, were 
accepted and adopted, and ordered to be placed upon 
the records of the town, and a copy be presented to 
Mr. Barnes: 

Resolved, That we, the legal voters of Berlin, in town meet- 
ing assembled, having under consideration the location for a 
new Town House, hereby gratefully accept the site generously 
presented to the town by our former townsman, Artemas 
Barnes, for the purpose of erecting thereon a Town House, 
and we tender to him our thanks for the timely gift 

Resolved, That these resolutions be entered on the records 
of the town, that the name of our generous donor, Artemas 
Barnes, may be held in continued remembrance as a benefactor 
of the town. 

Resolved, That the town clerk be and hereby is instructed to 
present to Mr. Barnes a copy of these resolutions. 

The Town House was dedicated March 2, 1870. 
The services on the opcasion embraced exercises 
pertaining to the Town hall and Memorial hall, both 
being in the same building. The proceedings on 
this occasion were printed in pamphlet, containing 
the presentation of the house to the town by the 
Building Committee, the acceptance of the same by 
the Selectmen, together with interesting remarks 
from others present. The dedicatory address was 
delivered by Rev. W. A. Houghton, a large portion 
of which was devoted to matters pertaining to our 
soldiers in the late war, and hence was called a 
memorial address, a copy of which may be found in 
the archives of the town, as also in manv families 



196 HISTORY OF THE 

The cost of the building above the underpinning was 
$6,000 ; other expenses, as the fitting of the ground, 
foundations, etc., $446.64; making in all, $6,446.64; 
the cost of furniture, $952; making entire cost of 
building and furniture, $7,398.64. 

The following extract from poem by Josiah Bride, 
delivered by him on this occasion, is well worthy of 
insertion herein. 

POEM. 

In Doctor Brigham's day we had 

Not half as many people; 

One little store, just one, no more, 

A church without a steeple. 

No Town House neat in which to meet, 

Discuss each public measure, 

And there and then select the men 

To execute our pleasure. 

In the house of God, however odd, 

It seems, were held all meetings. 

Where, without noise, the girls and boys 

Exchanged their social greetings. 

And in the pews all talked of news 

Profane and sacred matter. 

Where, sitting down, the entire town 

Made a tremendous clatter. 

In the altar stood our Puffer good. 

Though mercury was at zero, 

And frozen nose, fingers and toes, 

Showed heroine and hero. 

But the desire to have a fire. 

Might then have raised a question. 

Whether the thought were not inbrought 

By Satan's vile suggestion. 

Having thus wandered through the dear old past 

With heartfelt gratitude, we now may cast 

Our vision forward, and with faith may see 

A far more dear, a brighter yet-to-be. 

Honor the present as the ancient men, 

For now true worth inheres in man as then; 



TOWN OF BERLIN. I97 

Hence honor to our citizens, that they 

Have built the house we dedicate to-day. 

All honor to the brain that drew the plan, 

All honor to the workmen, every man, 

All honor to the man that gave the site. 

All honor for sweet harmony, all right. 

May heart to heart be bound with stronger ties. 

Higher and higher may this people rise, 

And, mid diversity of mind, God given. 

No more may social bands be rudely riven. 

Sadly we consecrate Memorial Hall 

In honor of the brave men doomed to fall, 

'Mid crash of arms and harsh, wild battle cry. 

Or in the crowded hospital to die. 

Imperishable as time be every name, 

Let none despoil them of their dear bought fame. 

But let the hand to infamy be wed 

That mars the laurels of the martyred dead. 

ARTEMAS BARNES' PORTRAIT, 1 8/ 1. 

In the spring of 1871 Mr. Artemas Barnes pre- 
sented to the town his portrait, painted in oil, to be 
hung in the Town Hall. The town took action on 
the matter at a meeting held May 2, 1871, and 
passed the following vote: "That as citizens of Ber- 
lin, in town meeting assembled, we gratefully ac- 
knowledge the good will of our former fellow-citizen, 
Mr. Artemas Barnes, now of Worcester, in so gener- 
ously presenting to his native town the very perfect 
portrait of himself, which now adorns our new hall. 
In accepting the same, with the m.ost cordial desire 
for the donor's length of days and future usefulness 
in society, we would assure Mr. Barnes of our high 
appreciation of the gift, not only as a work of art, 
but as preserving to us and our children a true like- 
ness of one bearing a family name which has been 
so honorably associated with all the history of Ber- 



198 HISTORY OF THE 

lin." A copy of the foregoing was sent to Mr. 
Barnes, and the following letter is a reply by Mr, 
Barnes to the same : 

Worcester, May 27, 187 1. 
Rev. William A. Houghton : 

Dear Sir: — I received your very friendly letter the day it 
was written and now answer it. The friendly spirit of your 
letter and the willingness of the citizens of the town to receive 
my portrait to be hung in your new Town Hall, awakened in 
me pleasant recollections. I prize the painting very much as 
a work of art and hope it will interest the young in what art 
can accomplish, and to the older inhabitants the recollection 
of one who has always been a warm friend of the town. 
Respectfully yours, etc., 

Artemas Barnes. 

resolutions in memoriam. 

The following resolutions in memory of Mr. 
Artemas Barnes were passed by the town March 
5, 1877, presented by Rev. W. A. Houghton: 

That we, the legal voters of the town of Berlin, in town 
meeting assembled, in the death of our late fellow citizen, 
Artemas Barnes, mourn the loss of a friend and benefactor of 
the tovvn, who repeatedly manifested his interest in the town 
of his nativity, even after his removal from our midst, not only 
by his timely benefactions in years gone by, but by his more 
recent gifts of highly wrought statues in marble, erected in the 
old cemetery in memory of the first minister of the town and 
of the first citizen of Berlin, who died for the liberty and inde- 
pendence of our country in the Revolutionary war. 

Resolved, That while we gratefully accept these testimonials 
of his good will to the town, we promise to preserve them as 
sacred mementoes of his high regard for religion, education 
and patriotism, principles momentous in value, of which we 
would deeply impress on those that come after us by a fre- 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 99 

quent recurrence to the representation and delineation of those 
sterling virtues as personified in the speaking marble, made 
such by the highest art of sculpture. 

DIVISION OF WORCESTER COUNTY, 1 874. 

November 3. The town at this time, as they had 
on all former occasions, voted unanimously against 
the proposition for the division of Worcester county, 
making Fitchburg the shire town of the new county. 
Berlin was to remain in the old county, it is true, 
but then taxes may have been increased, so thought 
the people. 

THE MAYNARD LAWSUIT, 1 87 5. 

The only lawsuit the town has had of any account 
since the celebrated Timothy Brooks Wheeler case, 
grew out of an accident to George Henry Maynard 
at West Berlin, where the Mass. Central R. R. Co. 
were putting in an abutment to the great bridge. 
By advice of counsel, the matter after one trial was 
compromised in 1875 with Maynard at a cost of 
$1,490. In 1 88 1 the town sued the railroad com- 
pany, which was the party in fault, and finally recover- 
ed in 1 8 8 7 of the corporation, after paying all expenses, 
the sum of nearly $1,900. William Bassett, agent 
for the town ; Hon. George F. Hoar, attorney. 

FIRE-PROOF SAFES. 

The first safe was bought in 1850; cost, $106.29; 
the second one in 1873; cost, $375 ; freight, $16.75 ! 
total, $39175- 



200 HISTORY OF THE 

gates' pond leased, 1875. 

At the April meeting, 1875, the town granted the 
petition of E. H. Hartshorn and others for the lease of 
Gates' pond for a tenn of fifteen years for the "cnlti- 
vation of fish." The company organized for the 
purpose and stocked the pond with "black bass." 
The sequel of the enterprise has shown that the 
adventure was not a paying investment. 

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, 4TH OF JULY, I 876. 

June 27. The town appropriated $200 for the 
Centennial celebration of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence. The day was appropriately observed by 
speeches, fireworks and illuminations. 

TRAMP HOUSE. 

The small brick building in the town pound was 
built in 1877 especially for the accommodation of 
tramps. The influx of these was so great during 
the great depression as to demand additional quarters ; 
Building Committee : D. H. Carter, Jonas Sawyer 
and Ruthven Hastings. 

DECORATION DAY, 1 878. 

At the annual meeting March 4 it was voted to 
pass over the article concerning decoration services. 
At the adjournment of this meeting March 12, the 
town passed the following resolution: 

]Vhereas, it is befitting a people to remember with grati- 
tude the services of those who have been pubUc benefactors 
and made great sacrifices for the good of the country ; there- 
fore 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 20I 

Resolved, That we, as citizens of the town of Berlin, will 
observe the coming Memorial day in a way befitting the occa- 
sion. 

CIVIL SERVICE REFORM. 

The town at the adjournment of the annual meet- 
ing-, 1878, respectfully invited all town officers to re- 
duce their pay for services, in consequence of the 
hard times, as appears by the following action : 

Whereas, in consequence of the depression of business in 
the country generally and the consequent low price of labor 
and the industrial products thereof in our town, it is incum- 
bent on us to husband our resources that we may pay our debts 
and taxes ; therefore 

Resolved, That we, the inhabitants of the town of Berhn, in 
town meeting assembled, believing the policy of civil service 
reform should be applied indiscriminately to all arms of the 
service, from the general government down to the lowest pre- 
cinct, therefore we would respectfully invite all town officers, 
of whatever grade or kind, for the year ensuing to reduce the 
pay for their services at least one-fifth from last year's prices. 

YELLOW DAY, 1 88 I. 

The 7 th day of September, 1881, is remembered 
as presenting a strange phenomenon in nature. The 
atmosphere w^as changed to a yellow hue, and all 
objects assumed an unnatural color. This continued 
nearly all day. Some thought the world was coming- 
to an end. Saloon keepers in some places refused to 
minister to their customers, fearing the day of judg- 
ment was at hand. The phenomenon is supposed to 
have been caused by the smoke of western fires. 



20 2 HISTORY OF THE 

THE POWDER HOUSE, 1 882. 

The old powder house on the hill back of the Town 
Hall, built 1 8 14 for the safe storage of ammunition, 
was given to the town with the land adjoining by 
deed from Rev. W. A. Hoiighton, for which gener- 
ous gift the town, May 4, 1882, voted that a vote of 
thanks be extended to him for his timely and liberal 
gift. 

THE TOWN CLOCK, 1 882. 

March 7. The clock on the steeple of the Orthodox 
Church was donated to the town by the will of Mrs. 
Lydia H. Peters for the use of the inhabitants of the 
town, and was accepted by the towm as a memorial 
of her late brothers, William A. and Solomon H. 
Howe. 

FIRE APPARATUS, 1 883. 

In consequence of the numerous fires which had 
occurred in the middle of the town about this time, 
the town resolved to procure some apparatus to as- 
sist in the extinguishment of fires, and instructed the 
Selectmen to purchase hooks, ladders, buckets, and 
carriage for transporting the same, in case of fire, 
but neglected to provide any supply of water, except 
two old mud holes, of no practical use whatever in a 
dry time, when fires are quite likely to occur. 

STREET LAMPS, 1 883. 

Voted to have three in the Centre. 

THE town's CENTENNIAL, 1 884. 

At the anntial town meeting of this year the town 
voted to celebrate its centennial, and chose Rev, W. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 203. 

A. Houghton, William Bassett, Josiah E. Sawyer, 
A. A. Bartlett and P. B. Southwick a committee to 
have entire charg^e of the matter. At a meeting:, 
August 13, chose in addition to the above commit- 
tee: Albert Babcock, Horace Bigelow, William W. 
Wheeler, Chandler Carter, Silas Sawyer, Samuel 
Wheeler, John D. Merrill, Anthony S. Starkey, E. 
S. Sawtelle and Winsor Maynard. Voted that the 
committee do not exceed in expense the sum of $ioo. 
The day of the celebration, September lo, was a 
very warm day, and the meeting was held out of 
doors. Rev. W. A. Houghton delivered the address. 
Ex-Gov. George S. Boutwell, who was our delegate 
in 1853 to the Convention for the Revision of the 
Constitution, was present and spoke on topics pe:cti- 
nent to the occasion. Rev. A. P. Marvin and others 
from^ adjoining towns and former residents of the 
town participated in the festivities of the occasion. 
As the subject matter of the address may miostly be 
found in different parts of this work, a repetition of 
the same would be superfluous here. 

BERLIN GRANGE — PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY, 1 886. 

After several weeks of earnest labor, Dr. Ahaz 
Bassett, late of Hudson, secured the names of forty- 
two who agreed to become the chartei: members of 
Berlin Grange, No. 1 34, P. of H. The same was 
organized on May 11, 1886, by Arthur A. Brigham 
of Marlboro, with Samuel Wheeler, master; P. B. 
Southwick, overseer, and H. A. Wheeler, lecturer. 

The master's chair has been occupied by Samuel 
Wheeler, C. D. Eager, H. A. Wheeler, F. H. Cross- 
man and Walter Cartwright. H. A. Wheeler, Mrs. 



2 04 HISTORY OF THE 

Addison Keyes, Mrs. L. B. Wheeler, Mrs. S. C. 
Chamberlain, Miss Lilla Newsome and Mrs. H. A. 
Wheeler have served as lecturers, while the secretary's 
post, "the most arduous of all," has been filled by 
Mrs. Addison Keyes, Miss A. O. Boyce, Mrs. S. C. 
Chamberlain, P. B. vSouthwick, Mrs. E. Coulson and 
Mrs. L. W. Brewer. 

The Grange holds semi-monthly meetings on the 
first and third Wednesdays, which are well attended. 
Whole number of members January i, 1895, 145. 

STONE WATERING TROUGH, 1 887. 

March 7. Voted thanks to Mr. Joel Proctor of Bol- 
ton for the gift of a stone watering trough at the 
west part. 

THE CHANDLER CARTER DONATION, 1 887. 

April 9. A special town meeting was called April 
9 to take action in relation to the donation made by 
Chandler Carter to the town of $20,000, which was 
the amount due the state of ^Massachusetts on a loan 
made to pay for the town's stock in the Massachu- 
setts Central Railroad. The town gratefully accepted 
the gift by a unanimous vote, and expressed a wish 
that a portrait of Mr. Carter might be obtained and 
placed on the walls of the Town Hall by the side of 
that of Artemas Barnes. Mr. Carter arose in town 
meeting and said their desire should be gratified, as 
he had an oil painting of himself recently made, 
which he was ready to present to the town. The 
Selectmen were authorized to receive the portrait, 
and the following Tuesday was fixed upon for the 
public reception at the Town Hall, when the gift 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



205 



would be presented and the picture be placed on the 
walls of the hall. A committee, consistingf of Wil- 
Ham Bassett, W. A. Houghton and P. B. Southwick, 
were chosen to draft resolutions expressive of the 
sentiment of the town as follows, passed unani- 
mously : 

Resolved, That we, the inhabitants of the town of Bedin, in 
town meeting assembled, with grateful hearts accept the liberal 
donation of $20,000 presented to the town by our generous 
townsman. Chandler Carter, and that his name shall ever be 
kept in perpetual remembrance as a benefactor of the 
town. 

Resolved, That the best token of regard we can ever hereaf- 
ter manifest for his memory is so to conduct the business of 
the town as to be clear of debt, the burden of which is now 
lightened by his generosity. 

Resolved, That we tender our sincere thanks to our most 
worthy fellow-citizen for the presentation he has this day made 
to the town, of his excellent portrait recently painted, and that 
the same be hung on the walls of this hall as a reminder to 
the town in the transaction of its business, ever to be prudent 
and careful that no burdensome debt ever hereafter be con- 
tracted, however plausible the pretext. 

Resolved, That we recommend that a public reception be 
tendered to Mr. Carter for his beneficence, and that the ar- 
rangement of the time and place and proceedings be left with 
the Selectmen. 

Resolved, That these resolutions be entered on the records 
of the town, and be published in the local papers, and a copy 
of them be sent to the donor. 

RECEPTION GIVEN TO CHANDLER CARTER, 1 887. 

April 12. The town having at the meeting of 
April 9 accepted the gift of Air. Carter, resolved that 



:206 HISTORY OF THE 

a public reception should be given to the town's 
benefactor on delivery of the donation, and the even- 
ing- of Tuesday, April 12, at the Town Hall, was 
fixed upon as the time and place for the occasion, 
and at the same time his portrait was to be hung on 
the walls of the hall. This was a memorable occa- 
sion, never to be forgotten by those who participated 
in the exercises. Our space does not permit of more 
than a brief epitome of the exercises, but a full report 
may be found in the Berlin Enterprise of April 16, 
1887, from which we make some extracts. The 
meeting was called to order by Mr. J. D. Tyler, who 
acted as master of ceremonies. After making some 
opening remarks he called on Rev. W. A. Houghton 
to offer prayer. "Following this was a song by the 
Choral Union, led by Mr. vSawyer." "To E. F. John- 
son, Esq., of Marlboro, attorney for A'Ir. Carter, was as- 
signed the pleasant duty of presenting to the town the 
gift of $20,000, which he did in his usual graceful and 
dignified manner." "F. A. Woodw^ard, chairman of 
the Selectmen, accepted the gift with few and well 
chosen words, thanking the giver for his noble gen. 
erosity." "Rev. W. A. Houghton was then intro- 
duced to the company and occupied the close atten- 
tion of the audience while he made tJic speech of the 
evening." "To James T. Joslin, Esq., of Hudson, 
was delegated the duty of presenting to the town 
the life-size oil painting of Mr. Carter, which was 
hung over the platform and covered with white 
drapery, and which at the conclusion was unveiled 
to the audience, who received it with prolonged ap- 
plause." Following this presentation, Mr. Joslin 
addressed the citizens of Berlin with some very in- 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 207 

teresting- remarks specially pertinent to the occasion. 
In behalf of the town William Bassett in response 
said: Be assured, Mr. Chairman, that this portrait 
will ever be preserved with reverence and respect 
for the original through all generations to the latest 
posterity so far as within us lies, and that we are 
most thankful for this valuable orift. After sins'inQ- 
by the Choral Union, the following poem, by Miss P. 
A. Holder, was read by Mr. Joslin : 

Berlin's response 
For the Generous Gift of her Son, Chandler Carter. 

Well hast thou chosen — wisely — 

To see thy good bestowed, — 
Thine own right hand to scatter 

Its blessings on life's road. 

The aureole of silver, 

Years to thy head have brought, 
Is tinged with golden lustre. 

This golden deed hath wrought. 

We'll write thy name in brightness 

As with a golden pen, 
Beside the good Ben Adham's, 

Who "loved his fellowmen." 

The soul that gives is blessed. 

The life made sweet and bright, — 
Bearing the loads of others. 

Makes our own burdens light. 

The Town accepts with gladness. 

This timely, generous gift. 
Freed from the long borne burden, 

Thy hand doth kindly lift. 

Onward we go, rejoicing. 

Where thou hast safely led. 
Praying that dews of blessing, 

May fall upon thy head. 



208 HISTORY OF THE 

And may the richest portion — 

The giver's — be thine own, 
Return in largest measure, 

With joy thy life to crown. 

Berlin — thy childhood's cradle, 

Receives thy manhood's gifts, 
And for the princely offering. 

Her head, rejoicing, lifts. 

She'll keep within her annals, 

Upon her roll of fame. 
Another Son remembered. 

Another honored name. 

The Son in filial homage, 

The Mother comes to greet. 
To bring his manhood's tribute, 

And lay it at her feet. 

As Berlin takes the largess 

From hand of generous Son, 
She breathes her benediction, 

With pride she says, " IVell done,'''' 

And so we twine with gladness. 

This laurel in thy crown, 
Glad in the light and blessing 

With which thy sun goes down. 

"Frank H. Pope of the. Boston Globe was next in- 
troduced, and, after a few preliminary remarks, pro- 
ceeded to render a recitation in his own inimitable 
and thrilling style, the character of which visibly 
affected the audience." The remaining" portion of 
the time was taken up in brief remarks by citizens 
and invited guests. "The collation in the hall be- 
low, which followed the exercises, did great credit to 
those having this important part of the programme 
in charge, the tables being elegantly and beautifully 
laid." 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 2O9 

Thus closed the exercises commemorative of an 
event the most important perhaps in the history of 
the town. 

ORGAN OR PIANO, 1 888. 

March 5. The Selectmen instructed to purchase 
an organ or piano to be used in the Town Hall. 

PRESENTATION OF REV. WILLIAM A. HOUGHTON'S 
PORTRAIT. 

November 28, 1890. At a meeting held at this 
date, a committee chosen at a former meeting for the 
purpose of procuring a portrait of the Rev. William 
A. Houghton, reported that they had attended to the 
duty assigned them and were ready to deliver the 
picture. The report was signed by William Bassett, 
E. C. Shattuck and P. B. Southwick. Voted "to ac- 
cept the report and that they be requested to present 
the picture. Mr. Bassett, the chairman of the com- 
mittee, in a few well-chosen words presented the 
portrait, and Lewis L. Carter of the Board of Select- 
men accepted the same in behalf of the town." 
"Listened to a response from Mr. Houghton, after 
which listened to music from the Berlin Brass 
Band." Miss Clara Shattuck read the following 
poem by Miss P. A. Holder : 

POEM, 
rev. william a. houghton. 

Read at the Meeting for Presentation of his Picture to the 
Town of Berlin, Nov. 28, 1890. 
'Tis meet within the afterglow 
Of glad Thanksgiving time, 
To sing an added song of joy, 
And "build the lofty rhyme," 
15 



HISTORY OF THE 

For one whose true, sweet life has been 

A joy to crown our days, 
And waken in our loving hearts 

A canticle of praise. 

So now we sing Doxology, 

Our grateful thoughts in metre, 
For this glad eventide, to make 

Thanksgiving joy still sweeter. 
We joy in all the well-spent years, 

For duty nobly done. 
For earnest work, for sterling worth, 

Gold in thy manhood's crown. 

The record of the useful life 

O'er which we love to look, 
Is like one of the grand aniens 

From out the Holy Book. 
The Town upon her walls will keep 

The picture of her Son, 
Feeling an honor in the name. 

Thy pure, good life has won. 

Living epistles of all time 

Are Calebs ever young; 
Still helpful to their fellowmen. 

The life a "grand, sweet song." 
We thank Thee, Father, for the gift 

Of such a life to earth, 
A life of loving ministry. 

That shows Thy glory forth. 

A grateful Town here gives to thee 

The homage of the heart. 
Praying that when the day shall come 

Which calls thee to depart. 
On all the people still may rest. 

Descending from above. 
In double portion, peaceful, pure. 

The spirit of thy love. 

May the rich gifts of Love Divine, 
Drop in their fullness down. 

And useful days of peace and joy 
The added years still crown; 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 211 

The onward way still sweeter grow 

With sunset gold made bright, 
The Master's presence guide thy steps, 

Into the world of light. 

After the poem came the following- rCvSoliitions, 
presented by William Bassett : 

Resolved, That the inhabitants of the town of Berlin, in 
town meeting assembled, tender to the Rev. William A. 
Houghton our most sincere thanks for the excellent life-like 
portrait he has this day presented to the town. 

Resolved, That we will guard with watchful care this por- 
trait, to preserve it from desecration, that it may ever hang 
on these walls a lasting reminder of one who, by both pre- 
cept and example, has been a promoter of the highest inter- 
ests of our citizens and an honor to the town. 

Resolved, That this portrait completes the trio — the three 
the town has especially delighted to honor, — all natives of the 
town, and all of them important contributors to its welfare and 
prosperity. 

On motion of Charles M. Sawyer the resolutions 
were unanimously adopted and entered upon the 
records of the town. 

HEALTH, LONGEVITY AND ETHICS OF THE TOWN. 

The sanitary condition of the town is worthy of 
special note. The town nas never been visited with 
epidemic or contagious diseases to any great extent, 
which fact is due, no doubt, to its excellent drainage 
and the purity of its waters. It has no pestilential 
swamps within its borders breeding malaria and 
typhus. The healthiness of the town is indicated by 
the fact that doctors have never found this an in- 
viting and remunerative field, and have finally aban- 



HISTORY OF THE 



doned the ground in despair, without hope of ever 
getting a living here. The longevity of the people 
will bear favorable comparison with those of other 
towns ; while we have had none whose age was more 
than a century, we have had many nonagenarians 
whose ages came near it. A native of the town was 
living at the time of this writing, at the age of ninety- 
four, born 1 800. The town has been remarkably free 
from fatalities caused by lightning. No one that 
we have ever heard of has been killed here by the 
electric fluid; no houses or barns have been burned 
from this cause. This locality on the whole seems 
to have been highly favored by the action of the 
elements and forces of nature. The climate, also, 
seems to be more genial and agreeable and healthful 
than in some other towns in the immediate vicinity, 
owing in part to the southeasterly slope of a large 
portion of the town, combined with other sanitary 
causes. The conclusion reached from the above 
facts is obvious, — that Berlin is a good town in which 
to live, enjoy life, and take comfort. If any should 
question the truth of the above, ask any native Ber- 
linean, and he will verify the facts. 

The morality of the town will bear favorable com- 
parison with other towns. From the first settlement 
to the present time the town has been saved from the 
record of but few of the more heinous crimes against 
society, but few have ever been incarcerated in jail, 
and these for minor offenses, and none have been 
sentenced to the state prison (except in one case, 
--not a Berlin man). One murder case, it is true, 
occurred within the limits of the town at the old 
Reuben Hastings house, but this is not properly 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 213 

chargeable to Berlin, as the parties were foreigners 
from Clinton, occupying the house at the time. The 
underlying cause was rum, which, in fact, is the 
potent factor in the commission of nearly all crimes. 
(See article, "Livingston.") Few communities prob- 
ably are freer from profanity and low vulgarity 
than Berlin. It may be premised that the influence 
of Dr. Puffer and his successors has been salutary. 
The efforts of the leaders of other denominations 
have also contributed materially to purify the moral 
atmosphere of the town. While not intending to 
claim ethical superiority over other communities, we 
may justly affirm that we have had no "hardscrabble" 
or "den of thieves." 

ACCIDENTAL AND VIOLENT DEATHS. 

It is presumed that the following list comprises 
but a part of those who may from the early settlement 
to the present time have died by accident or from 
violence. The first of which we have any knowledge 
was one John Canouse, a German, a deserter from 

Burgoyne's army in 1777; M. Phebe Butler, 

He was one of the six that gave the name of Six 
Nations to a district in Boylston. He was thrown 
from a horse and killed near Bolton depot ; no date. 

Nancy (Bride) Bruce, widow of Benjamin Bruce, 
was burned to death in the chimney corner w^hile 
the family were at church. Thanksgiving day, 1824. 

A child of Obadiah McBride, who may have 
been living at the time on the William Fry place, 
was caught in a window of the old east school-house 
by the falling of the sash, and suffocated. She had 
returned to the school-house for her books. The 



214 HISTORY OF THE 

door being- locked, she gained ingress by the window^ 
with the result above stated; 1828. 

A young man by the name of Converse, a 

son-in-law of Samuel Gage, who lived at the time on 
the Newsome place, was killed by a cart tongue 
falling upon him, 1 8 1 9. 

Joseph Pollard, son of Luther, was killed when 
about eight years old by falling on a corn cutter, 
1822. 

Henry Powers, Jr., son of Henr}^ 2d, was stabbed 

and killed by one Brooks, at Grafton, 1834, 

Through the leniency of the father, who didn't 
believe in capital punishment, Brooks only received 
a short term of imprisonment. 

Eliza Ann (Walker) Rice, wife of Nathan Rice 
(who was living at the time of the accident on the 
Dea. Oliver Sawyer farm), was thrown from a carriage 
while descending the hill north of Willard G. Bruce's 
on a Sunday morning on the way to church. She 
was accompanied by Miss Sophia Sawyer, who 
escaped without serious injury, but Mrs. Rice sur- 
vived but a short time after the accident. The 
cause of this fatal disaster was that the harness 
broke. The horse ran down the hill and upset the 
carriage. This occurred October 4, 1863. 

Luther Babcock, while picking apples for David 
and Abram Fry, October 9, 1878, fell from the tree 
on which he was working and received internal 
injuries, from which he died soon after. 

Dea. John Bartlett was killed by being thrown 
from a wagon in descending the hill west of Geo, 
H. Barnes', July 6, 1864. 

Mrs. Mary A. Livingston, wife of James Livingston, 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



215 



who had moved from Clinton into the Reuben 
Hastings house, was murdered by her husband, Feb. 
5, 1883. 

Miss Sarah I. Hastings, daughter of R. S. Hastings, 
met with a fatal accident November 14, 1893. This 
sad and distressing event awakened the sympathies 
of the entire community ; universal sorrow brooded 
over the town ; all felt that it was an irreparable loss 
that one so active, useful and capable in many ways 
should so suddenly be snatched away. The circum- 
stances were these : She was on her way to Clinton 
with a livery team, by way of Barnes' hill ; stopped 
at George H. Barnes', took in his daughter Lucy and 
proceeded on their way. In descending the hill 
northerly, the horse became ungovernable and ran at 
a furious gait down the incline towards the long 
bridge of the Central railroad, on nearing which the 
horse turned to the right, upsetting the carnage and 
throwing them both out. Sarah struck her head 
against the abutment of the bridge; she never 
regained consciousness, and lived but a short time. 
Her companion escaped without serious injury. 

PAUPERS. 

At the first town meeting (1784) began a practice, 
then common in most towns, of putting up at vendue 
the keeping of the poor to the lowest bidder. All 
see the liability of the poor to suffer thereby, but 
public sentiment would resent abuse no doubt. The 
practice was discontinued here fifty or more years 
ago. William A. Howe, then but just in his ma- 
jority, was, I believe, the first to oppose the practice' 
in town meeting. The first person named on our 



2l6 HISTORY OF THE 

record of the poor is Mary Piper. The next year, 
voted to allow the account of Joseph Howe, for 
bringing Polly Kitty from Bolton to his house, four 
shillings, and for cleansing said Polly, four shillings 
and ninepence. Polly's board is also allowed at four 
shillings per week. The town has never seen fit to 
found a pauper establishment. It had, it is true, a 
small house for the poor, which would accommodate 
only a very small family. (See article, " House for 
the Poor.") The town may have had in mind in the 
purchase of the Meriam farm the probability of con- 
verting it into a farm for the poor, but the paupers 
were too few to warrant the expense. In recent 
times the poor are well cared for by the Overseers 
of the Poor, and placed in good families. 

FIRES — BUILDINGS BURNED. 

Within twenty years past there have been more 
fires in town than in all its prior history. In the 
early times we learn of comparatively few. For- 
merly people were not so well insured as of late, and 
the losses seem to have been proportionately small. 
Less the insurance, less the fires. That some of the 
fires have had an incendiary origin there is no doubt, 
and this element is an important factor in raising the 
percentage of insurance, from which we all suffer. 

The first in our list of which we know anything 
about was the house of Leonard Hartwell, who 
lived at the time on the place now owned by Lorenzo 
Bruce (next east of George W. Howard's). It was a 
house built by Mr. Hartwell, and was burned in the 
night time. In 183- he erected the present one in 
its place. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 21 7 

After the Hartwell fire we learn of no other for 
about thirty years. The two-story tenement house 
of Capt. C. S. Hastings was burned September, i860, 
and was replaced by the present one on the same 
site. This fire took from hot ashes in a bai^rel in 
an adjoining- wood-shed. 

The next in point of time was the blacksmith 
shop of Albert Peterson in the south part. This 
occurred in the night, in the autumn of 1868. The 
shop was built by T. W. Barker. Well insured. 

The building known as the Grassie & Hartshorn 
shop in the Centre, on the Clinton road, was burned 
June 17, 1867. 

The shoe shop in the south part, built for the 
Union Store Co., and owned and operated by one 
Budreau of Marlboro, was burned about one o'clock 
on night of January 25, 1878. Probably well in- 
sured ; no known cause of fire. 

The large shoe factory in the middle of the town, 
known as the Parker shoe shop, was burned in the 
day-time of February 18, 1882. This was not in- 
cendiary. It took fire on the roof, and there was no 
means here to extinguish it. Help came from Clinton 
and Hudson, but too late to save the building. 

Henry A. vStone's shop for blacksmithing and 
wheelwrighting was burned May 6, 1882. The fire 
took, undoubtedly, from natural causes. 

Madam Rudersdoff's buildings seemed to have 
been marked for a play of the elements. First a new 
barn, by her then recently erected, was burned, 1879 ; 
and again a strange fatality attended her barns, a 
second one in process of completion being blown 
down in a furious gale, July 16, 1879, and two men 



2l8 HISTORY OF THE 

were killed — Jonathan Nourse and Thomas Cheney, 
both of Hudson. The present one on the Reed Tyl^r 
place was the third she built. The old mansion built 
by Deacon Oliver Sawyer was finally doomed. It went 
up in smoke in the night of January 31, 1881, no 
one living in it at the time. The cause of the fires 
is a query, — no doubt about the blowing down. 

The devouring element seems to have made sad 
havoc in 1882 and 1883. No less than six fires oc- 
curred during this period. The old Joseph Priest 
house, more than one hundred years old probably, 
and owned by Rufus R. Wheeler, was burned in 
the night-time, no one living in it. This old house 
was consumed May 13, 1883. 

The hotel, which stood on the present site of the 
Unitarian parsonage, called the Belmont House, was 
burned in the day-time September 26, 1883; Fred 
Wheelock, proprietor. Mrs, R. S. Hastings' build- 
ings were barely saved from the flames. A query 
how it caught. 

The old blacksmith shop in Carterville, erected by 
Riley Smith, then owned by Samuel M. Haynes, was- 
burned September, 1883. 

Horace A. Gunnison's house, just north of the 
Oliver Smith place in Carterville, was burned March 
18, 1883, the family being absent at the time. 

Arad Taylor's house and barn on the Jonathan F,. 
Wheeler place were reduced to ashes, April 9, 1885, 

The parsonage of the Rev. W. A, Houghton, and 
it also had been that of Dr. Puffer, was consumed by 
the devouring flames May 14, 1894. The house at 
the time was occupied by tenants, and the flre took 
from sparks from the chimney. This was regarded 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 219 

as a special calamity, on account of the associations 
connected with the place and the prominence of the 
house as a village residence. 

The typical old red school-house on the Hudson 
road, which had been known by the oldest inhabit- 
ant from childhood (built 1792), was burned at mid- 
night, July, 1894. The old Joshua Johnson house, 
owned by A. B. Allen, was burned, 1886. 

BERLIN DOCTORS. 

Dr. Hezekiah Gibbs appears first on the list ; was 
here some years prior to 1784, and was probably from 
Framingham. Lived on the Fred A. Woodward 
place. No other record. 

Dr. Benjamin Nourse, son of Deacon David Nourse 
of Bolton, from 1784 to 1804. 

Dr. Nathaniel Martin, of whom I am unable to 
report; 1792. 

Dr. Daniel Brigham from Westboro studied with 
Dr. James Ball of Northboro. Settled on the Crosby 
place, near the Old Colony depot, 1 800 ; removed to 
Marlboro 1825. 

Dr. Samuel Griggs, born at Saxton's River, Vt., 
studied with Dr. Twitchell of Keene, N. H. Was 
here from 1824 to 1831. He removed to West 
Boylston, thence to Westboro 1843. Died in 1879 at 
86 years. 

Dr. John L. S. Thompson succeeded Dr. Griggs 
from 1831-1840. He removed to Bolton and thence 
to Lancaster. Died 1885. 

Dr. Edward Hartshorn was the successor of Dr> 
Thompson. Practiced here from 1840 to 1854. 



2 20 HISTORY OF THE 

Dr. Lemuel Gott, the last resident physician in 
town, continued in practice from 1854 to 1888, the 
time of his death. Some other doctors have had 
oiSces here at brief intervals. At present, Dr. F. 
L. Harvey has an office at the Dr. Hartshorn place. 

THE BERLIN TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY. 

The organization of this society dates back to 
1855. No organization in town has exhibited greater 
vitality during all these years. The interest in the 
meetings, as shown by the well-filled houses, is worthy 
of special note. The young people of the town have 
generally constituted a large proportion of the audi- 
ence, attracted no doubt in part by a desire for social 
intercourse as well as to enjoy the music, singing 
and lectures. The clergymen of the town have 
generally been active in these meetings, and have 
gratuitously given their time and labor to the 
promotion of the cause of temperance. 

The meetings of the society have been latterly 
held at the ToAvn Hall on the evening of the third 
Sunday in each month. The three religious societies 
frequently hold union services. There can be no 
question but that these meetings have contributed 
largely to the formation of a public sentiment here 
in favor of temperance, sobriety and good order in 
town. 

GOLDEN CROSS. 

A branch of the Golden Cross was organized in 
Berlin March 19th, 1879, with eleven charter mem- 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



bers, E. H. Hartshorn, noble commander. Whole 
number that have belonged since its organization, 
forty-six ; the largest number at any time, thirty-six ; 
present number, thirty. Five members have died. 
We have paid in benefit assessments $11,948, and 
the families of those that have died have received 
$10,800. The present noble commander is Andrew 
J. Johnson. 

FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY. 

In 1888 Mr. Houghton wrote: "Sadly, Berlin has 
no public library. Sectional influences have prevented 
united action. When we separated from Bolton, a 
generous library became a bone of contention. A 
division of it was finally effected. The Berlin share, 
with "additions, was kept alive during the pastorate 
of Dr. Puffer. " 

Happily this town is no longer open to reproach 
as being so exceptional a Massachusetts town as to 
be withoiit a public library. 

Thanks to a fortunate combination of circumstances,, 
Berlin now has a small but steadily growing and 
highly appreciated public library. 

One of the acts of the State Legislature of 1890 
was the appointment of a Free Public Library Com- 
mission, authorized to assist towns of low assessment 
valuation to establish free public libraries. By the 
terms of the act the Commission was empowered to 
buy and present to such towns $100 worth of books 
on certain conditions, such as making satisfactory 
provision for the accommodation and care of the 
books, an annual appropriation for the support of 
the library, etc. 



HISTORY OF THE 



At the town meeting of March 2d, 1891, the terms 
of the legislative act were accepted, and a Board of 
Library Trustees elected, which consisted of Rev. G. 
F. Pratt, Hon. William Bassett and F. H. Grossman. 

To the State Free Public Library Commission our 
Trustees were indebted not only for advice as to 
further purchase of books and many other particulars, 
but also for a manifestation of personal interest. 
On the part of individual members of the Commission, 
this went as far as the collection of many books from 
their friends, which they presented to our library, so 
that it was able to start with more than the hundred 
dollars' worth of books donated by the state. For 
this exhibition of personal interest and zeal for the 
good cause in which they were enlisted, Berlin has 
occasion to record with gratitude the names of Hon. 
Henry S. Nourse and Miss Elizabeth P. wSohier of 
the State Free Public Library Commission. 

The first appropriation for the library made by the 
town was $50. 

This has since been increased to an annual appro- 
priation of $70. 

Berlin Grange was prompt to show its public spirit 
in this direction by a gift from its treasury of $26.50, 
to be expended for the purchase of a set of Chambers' 
Encyclopaedia for the library. 

It is but just to the Grange to recognize the fact 
that from its members came the first effectual impulse 
in town toward securing the library. Next after the 
state's donation, the largest and most welcome gift 
to the library was that of Mrs. Cordelia S. Hastings, 
of $100 in cash. This gift was very opportune, 
enabling the infant library at once to assume propor- 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 223 

i 

tions commensurate with the demands made upon 
it at the outset. Other gifts of books and money 
have been received from time to time ; notable for its 
helpfulness at the time, $io from Miss H. E. Bigelow 
of Marlboro. 

In establishing the library the most perplexing 
problems met by the Trustees was to find house room 
for it. Not without much difficulty did the town 
clerk (also a member of the Board of Trustees) con- 
trive a suitable lodgment for the library in a corner 
of the Selectmen's room in the Town House. 

This solves the problem for a time, but only for as 
long as the books are few in number and we have no 
reading room. Soon some larger space must be 
provided, either by an addition to the Town House 
or the erection of a separate library building. 

It would be hard to devise a nobler benefaction to 
the town than a gift, through legacy or otherwise, 
for this object. 

The work of cataloguing a library in the scientific 
manner of to-day requires an expert. Fortunately 
this operation and the task of setting the machinery 
successfully in motion were rendered comparatively 
easy by the quiet assistance of one who had been a 
trained and experienced librarian in a larger town — 
Mrs. Pratt, wife of one of the Trustees. 

On July II, 1 89 1, the library was first opened to 
the public with 190 books on the shelves, and Miss 
Sarah I. Hastings in charge as librarian. To-day, 
May, 1895, the library has 858 volumes. 

For a time the library was open for an hour on 
Saturday afternoons and for two hours on Saturday 
evenings. 



2 24 HISTORY OF THE 

For the past year it has been open on Saturday- 
evenings and every other Wednesday evening. It 
is proposed to open it also on Saturday afternoons 
again. 

After a year's trial had shown the advantages of 
a public library, it was suddenly enriched and doubled 
in size by the donation of the entire library of 380 
volumes belonging to the Union Library Association 
of South Berlin. 

For some years enterprising citizens of the section 
of the town known locally as South Berlin, had 
maintained a circulating library for the benefit of 
residents of that neighborhood. 

Their collection of books was of excellent character, 
and made a valuable and timely addition to the 
Public Library. 

In October of 1893, the library, in common with 
the whole community, met a sad loss in the sudden, 
death of Miss S. I. Hastings, who was thrown from 
a carriage while driving. Miss Hastings was a young 
lady endowed with many talents and great energy of 
character. 

On November 18, 1893, Miss Mary M. Babcock 
entered upon the duties of librarian, for which she 
had received some special training as assistant to 
her predecessor. 

She has proved a very efficient and popular 
librarian, and under her administration the patron- 
age of the library has made most gratifying progress. 

THE SHAKESPEARE CLUB. 

December 27th, 1877, the teachers and School 
Committee with several others, by invitation of Miss 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 225 

Fiske, then teacher of the high school, met and 
organized the Shakespeare Club, with Mr. E. C. 
Shattuck, president, and Miss Mary Bassett, secre- 
tary. The first meeting and several following were 
held in the old Town House, standing near the house 
of J. E. Sawyer, and occupied by the primary 
department of the Centre school. After the first 
year the meetings were held at the homes of the 
members. During the seventeen years of its exist- 
ence, the club has been highly prosperous in the 
keeping up of the interest, the harmony prevailing, 
and the amount of work accomplished. The club 
made choice of the best in the beginning: the 
immortal Shakespeare, at whose feet for two years 
the}' sat as willing learners and loath to part company, 
has ever been the most frequent guest at their intel- 
lectual feasts. Much time was given to the study 
of the life and writings of the trio — Longfellow, 
Holmes and Whittier, and to the Concord celebrities — 
Emerson and Hawthorne ; the life of James Russell 
Lowell in his Cambridge home, and the study of his 
writings, with their treasures of wit and wisdom ; Sir 
Walter Scott, Milton, Ruskin, Hannah Moore, Mrs. 
Browning, Harriet Beecher Stowe ; taking up many 
more of the standard English and American authors, 
besides the lesser poets and authors, none of whom 
have been exhausted, holding within them mines of 
wealth yet to be explored by the club. A large 
range of subjects, literary and scientific, has been 
taken up : the study of precious stones and geologi- 
cal formations from specimens collected by the club ; 
electricity ; architecture ; music ; travels ; history ; the 
evenings spent in trips to the White mountains, 



2 26 HISTORY OF THE 

Yellowstone park, up tlie Hudson, in which the 
tourists, real and imaginary, with their delightful 
sketches and the aid of maps, stereoscopic views and 
specimens, making them real, were full of pleasure 
and profit ; the memorable event when the fledgling 
poets of the club assayed to use their wings at the 
request of the most honorable member. Many papers 
and essays were prepared upon the subjects taken up, 
some of which have appeared in print, and others 
equally worthy still remain in the archives of the 
club. 

No history of the Shakespeare Club would be com- 
plete without some record of its social features, 
which were interspersed as recreations from its more 
solid work, — 

With friendship's golden chain we're bound, 
Its brightest links, our social joys. 

Among these the cherry parties and other social 
gatherings with Mr. and Mrs. Addison Keyes, Mrs. 
Keyes being for many years the secretary of the 
club ; repeated visits to Hunnewell's gardens ; trips to 
the Wachusett mountain; a 'day spent in the Bloom- 
ingdale nursery, Worcester; — with their delightful 
reminiscences and the unique experiences connected 
with them, which have become legends in the club ; 
the memorable ride to Concord August 17th, 1881, 
"Coldest day on record," the oft-quoted remark of 
one of the members who came near freezing ; sleigh- 
rides long deferred, sleigh-rides shortened by mishaps, 
and sleigh-rides most enjoyable were the order of the 
winter. For the summer annual picnics with the 
pleasant associations of Elm farm, Larkin homestead, 
and the Bassett grounds, at which some of the mem- 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 227 

bers immortalized their names in the club by their 
preparation of chowder for the picnic of 1884. 

Elves who brewed for us the witch's broth 
So fowl and so feline, will live 
When other names are long forgot. 

The crowning feature of the social gatherings of 
the season, was the annual suppers given as surprises 
to the gentlemen by the ladies, each season vieing 
with the last in making them more delightful and 
attractive. Culling 

From out the realm of cuisine art, 

Savory viands, sweets delectable, 

Salads, jellies, ices, creams delicious. 

Choicest fruits from tropic lands. 

With nuts to eat and nuts to crack. 

For each guest some souvenir 

Holding the past in mem'ry's shrine, 

The genii their work completed. 

Behold a fairy bower, 

In which to serve the fair repast. 

Where friendly cheer and sparkling thought 

Go round the board, where all partake. 

The wit and wisdom of the club combining in an 
entertainment literary and otherwise, fitting for the 
closing up of these annual festivities, our allotted space 
is filled and only a bare outline appears, — just a hint 
here and there of the good things of the Shakespeare 
Club. 

The present officers: P. B. vSouthwick, President; 
Addison Keyes, Vice-President; Miss Jennie Morse, 
Secretary; the president and vice-president having 
held the offices for a number of ^^ears. 

THE OLD BERLIN LYCEUM AT THE CENTRE. 

The first lyceum in town of which we have any 
account was held in the old Town House on the 



2 28 HISTORY OF THE 

Common about 1837. It was a time when the Berlin 
Academy was a flourishing institution here, and the 
principal, Josiah Bride, took an active interest in the 
debates and other exercises of the Lyceum, which 
largely contributed to its success. The topics dis- 
cussed were such as began about that time to engage 
the public attention, especially temperance and anti- 
slavery being themes often dwelt on, and public 
sentiment here may have been largely moulded by 
the free debates and earnest discussions held in the 
old Town House. Among the numerous names of 
those who took an active part were Daniel Holder, 
Amory Carter, Daniel H. Carter, Rev. Eber S. 
Clarke, George Ball, A. A. Bartlett, L. L. Carter and 
P. B. Southwick. The organization continued only 
three or four years, and was succeeded later by the 
South Part Lyceum. 

THE SOUTH BERLIN LYCEUM. 

No organization in town ever more completely 
filled a gap in the social and literary institutions of 
the period than did the Lyceum as it existed before 
and some years subsequent to the war. The one 
held at the south part school-house was famous for 
the matchless debates and intellectual sparring, which 
drew large audiences from all the region around. 
The great latitude given to discussion gave opportu- 
nity to all to air their individual theories on law, 
theology, medicine and political economy. Indeed, 
the debates embraced the whole category of subjects 
which came within the range of the intellectual sharp- 
shooters of the time. The participants in these 
forensic exercises were by no means confined to 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 229 

persons within our limits, but it may fairly be main- 
tained that home talent usually held its own with the 
giants from abroad, w^ho contributed in no small 
degree to the celebrity and success of the Lyceum, 
Among the familiar names of those here who took 
an active part were Rev. W. A. Houghton (when 
held at the Town Hall), E. C. Shattuck, Solomon 
Jones, Nathaniel Wheeler, Lyman Morse, Amasa A. 
Whitcomb, William Bassett. Of those from out of 
town, A. J. Bigelow, Welcome Cook and Myles 
Wood were frequent attendants from Robin hill, and 
never to be forgotten were the representatives of 
Feltonville — Abram Tyler, Charles Brigham and 
Wilbur F. Brigham, Esq., who contributed, whenever 
present, largely to the success of the Lyceum. 
George Forbes from the East Woods, Boylston, was 
interested in the Lyceum, and gave essays and lec- 
tures on various topics. The teachers in some of the 
schools frequently took an important part in the 
exercises. The part taken by the ladies of the town 
is worthy of special mention. Continued interest 
was largely kept up by their papers and essays, con- 
taining pungent hits and sharp criticisms. The 
exercises were interspersed with dialogues, declama- 
tions and conundrums. The latter finally became 
exceedingly attractive to the crowd on account of 
the sharp hitting puns contained therein, flying 
hither and thither, to the amusement of all. The 
Berlin Lyceum may well be counted among the 
former educational institutions of the town, and filled 
an important place at a time when public entertain- 
ments were less numerous than at present. Long 
be remembered the South Berlin Lyceum. 



230 HISTORY OF THE 

Another lyceum was instituted at the north school- 
house after the old Lyceum at the Centre was given 
up. No record at hand. It is reported to have been 
profitable and isstructive lo the north enders ; was 
aided by talent from Fryville and elsewhere. 

THE FARMERS AND MECHANICS* CLUB. 

This club was organized October loth, 1868, with 
D. H. Carter as president and Erastus Wheeler as 
secretary. The meetings were held the first winter 
in the old Town Hall. In the fall of 18.69 the first 
exhibition of stock, fruit and vegetables was held. 
Central hall in the Congregational Church was used 
for fruit and vegetables. The first attempt at a cattle 
show was a success, and so they were continued 
annually, the last being held September, 1892. In 
the twenty-three exhibitions held a large amount of 
money was paid in premiums. The office of president 
was held by a number of our farmers. P. B. Southwick 
was secretary fifteen years. 

Notwithstanding our annual exhibitions have been 
given up, the club as an organization still continues, 
and the officers chosen January, 1895, were the fol- 
lowing : President, P. B. Southwick ; Vice-President, 
G. H. Barnes ; Secretary, J. D. Southwick; Treasurer, 
Robert B. Wheeler ; Executive Committee, J. D. 
Southwick, Edward L. Wheeler and L. W. Brewer. 
The starting of the Worcester East Agricultural 
Society has tended to draw some interest from the 
town clubs in the district and prevented the holding 
of town shows, ^ — still no injury has resulted to the 
farmers of this town. 

This club is worthy of special mention in these 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



231 



pages ; it infused the elements of new life into the 
agricultural industries of the town, and was largely 
instrumental in introducing a higher and more 
scientific method of farming. Free discussions, lec- 
tures and readings on agricultural subjects, embracing 
mechanical appliances and improved machines to 
lessen the manual labor of the farmer, were the 
subjects which engaged the attention of the club at 
the regular monthly meetings. In the summer sea- 
son field meetings were held from time to time at 
various farms, the culture of which was supposed to 
give new ideas in raising special crops. The annual 
"fair or cattle show" was an institution long to be 
remembered. It was a gala day for the town. Old 
residents and people from the surrounding towns 
were present in large numbers. A marked and 
interesting feature of the show was the exhibition of 
fruits, flowers and artistic work exhibited in the 
Town Hall. Dinner was provided for all at a mod- 
erate charge; usually in Central hall, else in a tent 
on the Common. After-dinner speeches were always 
in order, and all the exercises were enlivened by the 
Berlin or some other brass band. A fair and unbiased 
estimate of the club would place it with the educa- 
tional institutions of the town. It was superseded 
practically by the Grange, an institution of greater 
vitality and of a larger scope of usefulness. The 
club is still alive with promise of future potency 
and power. 

A BRANCH OF THE HOPEDALE COMMUNITY. 

A notable interest was awakened here about 1849 
in what was called "The Practical Christian Com- 



232 HISTORY OF THE 

munion of Berlin, " by the efforts of the Rev. Adin 
Ballon of Hopedale and others of the same faith. 
Meetings were held in the old Town House, and 
occasionally at private houses of interested parties. 
As the adherents to the cause here were too few for 
effectual work, a number emigrated to Hopedale, 
where more enlarged opportunities seemed to be 
offered for material and spiritual growth and develop- 
ment. Most of those who joined the Hopedale 
community returned some years later, wiser, no 
doubt, from the experience gained. The principles 
and obligations embraced in the constitution, if 
practically exemplified in daily life, would indicate a 
state of society approximating earthly perfection. 

The records of the organization closed March 3, 
1850. 

CONSTITUTION. 

A general association of Practical Christians is hereby con- 
stituted, to be called 

The Practical Christian Communion. 

It consists of all adhering subscribers to the subjoined 
"Declaration. " 

It is in unity and cooperation with The Practical Christian 
Ministry. 

Any seven or more members, resident in any locality where 
they can more conveniently associate with each other for 
religious purposes than with their fellow- members elsewhere, 
may organize themselves into a local Communion, with all the 
rights, powers and privileges necessary to their edification as a 
distinct branch of this general Communion. 

Such local branches of The Practical Christian Communion 
shall hold regular monthly meetings for the special discipline 
and improvement of all the members in practical Christian 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 233 

excellence, and for the transaction of such business as may 
properly demand their consideration. 

Every such local Communion shall open a book of records, 
with this Constitution to be subscribed by all its members, and 
shall register therein such statistics, events and proceedings as 
may be deemed worthy of historic preservation. 

Every such local Communion shall be competent to establish 
for itself any rule or regulation necessary to its edification, good 
order and efficiency in promoting the common cause of 
practical Christianity ; provided that the same be not incom- 
patible with the general harmony under this Constitution. 

The internal discipline of this Communion shall always be 
in conformity with the precept of Christ, recorded in the 
fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth verses of the eighteenth 
chapter of Matthew. 

Declaration. 
I believe in the religion of Jesus Christ as He taught and 
exemplified it, according to the Scriptures of the New Testa- 
ment. I acknowledge myself a bounden subject of all its 
moral obligations. Especially do I hold myself bound by its 
holy requirements never, under any pretext whatsoever, to 
kill, assault, beat, torture, enslave, rob, oppress, persecute, 
corrupt, slander, revile, injure, envy or hate any human being — 
even my worst enemy ; never, in any manner, to violate the 
dictates of pure chastity ; never to take or administer an oath ; 
never to manufacture, buy, sell, deal out or use any intoxicating 
liquor as a beverage ; never to serve in the army, navy or militia 
of any nation, state or chieftain ; never to bring an action at 
law, hold office, vote, join a legal posse, petition a legislature,^ 
or ask governmental interposition in any case involving a final 
authorized resort to physical viole?ice ; never to indulge self-will, 
bigotry, love of preeminence, covetousness, deceit, profanity,, 
idleness, or an unruly tongue ; never to participate in lotteries, 
games of chance, betting or pernicious amusements ; never to 
resent reproof, or justify myself in a known wrong ; never to aid,. 



2 34 HISTORY OF THE 

abet, or approve others in anything sinful ; but, through divine 
assistance, always to recommend and promote, with my entire 
influence, the holiness and happiness of all mankind. 

And, trusting that the work of spiritual regeneration has 
effectually commenced in my heart, by the exercise of sincere 
repentance toward God and faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, I 
will earnestly endeavor to live a true life, according to the 
foregoing acknowledgment of duty ; to walk in unity with all 
my fellow disciples of this Communion wherever I may have 
intercourse with them ; to contribute liberally of my temporal 
goods towards the prevention of poverty, ignorance and vice, 
and for the dissemination of practical Christianity ; and to 
•cooperate cordially in establishing local Practical Christian 
Communities, so constituted as to harmonize the interests and 
•obligations of the members, without destroying their proper 
individual freedom, enterprise and responsibility. 

Names, 

Leonard Hartwell, Pliny B. Southwick, 

Abigail Hartwell, Addison G. Smith, 

Daniel H. Carter, Edwin Sawyer, 

Lucy H. Carter, Emily P. Sawyer, 

Mary J. Hartwell, John A. Merrill, 

Israel Sawyer, Josiah Moore, 

Louisa Sawyer, Ellen L. Moore. 

woman's christian temperance union. 

The Berlin W. C. T. U. was organized Oct. 27, 
1879, by Mrs. Emma Molloy, with twenty-nine mem- 
bers. It early endeavored to secure the enforcement 
of the law against illegal liquor selling, obtaining 
over two hundred signatures to a petition to the 
Selectmen for that purpose ; and in years when the 
town officers have been faithful in this regard, the 



WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION. 




MRS. L. W. BREWER. 
MRS. FKED'k miller. 



MRS. A. PARMENTER. 

MISS MARY KEYES. 

MRS. HENRY A. WHEELER. 



MRS. SILAS SAWYER. 
MISS CLARA L. SHATTUCK. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 235 

W. C. T. U, members have stood by them with 
prayers and encouragement. 

Union temperance concerts by the different Sun- 
day schools were inaugurated by the Union, and have 
been successfully held for years. At one time, when 
the Total Abstinence Society became so disabled as 
to be threatened with dissolution, it was revived by 
the work of a W. C. T, U. committee in providing 
attractive programmes for the meetings. Three 
times children's societies have been started by the 
Union ; twenty-four lectures have been given under 
its auspices ; children's picnics have been arranged ; 
mass meetings and gospel temperance meetings have 
been held ; lunch has been furnished and literature 
circulated at cattle shows. Bouquets have been sent 
to hospitals and prisons, and to the sick in town, and 
temperance literature has likewise been distributed 
at home and abroad. Various temperance petitions 
have been circulated. Delegates have been sent to 
twenty conventions — county, state and national. 

The Union now has twenty members, and is doing 
good work in the following departments : Sunday 
school, evangelistic. Loyal Temperance Legion, 
scientific temperance instruction, press, flower mis- 
sion, railroad and good literature. 

We wage our peaceful war for God, and home, 
and native land. 

THE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN FLAG STOLEN. 

In the fall of 1868, after the nomination of Grant 
and Colfax, a flag was purchased, and on a Saturday 
afternoon there was a flag raising. It was suspended 
across the street from the oak tree on land of John 



236 HISTORY OF THE 

F. Bennett to the Parker shoe shop opposite. A 
very enjoyable time was had and the citizens retired 
to their beds feeling- happy, thinking, no doubt, that 
a duty had been performed, but an early riser on 
Sunday morning was surprised to find that the rope 
had been cut at the shop, and was lying across the 
street and the flag stolen. The news spread through 
the town like wildfire, and the excitement that Sun- 
day far surpassed anything that had ever happened 
before or since. Search was continued all day, and 
the services at the church were slimly attended. A 
paper was circulated, and never was money more 
freely paid than for the purchase of another flag. 
One was procured much larger and much more 
expensive than the one stolen. Arrangements were 
made for another rally on the next Saturday after- 
noon. The papers reported the affair and the people 
came from far and near. The crowd that gathered 
exceeded the first rally as much as the new flag 
exceeded the old one. The new flag was suspended 
from a rope extending from the Parker shop to a 
flagstaff on the opposite side of the road. The 
emblem of liberty was flung to the breeze amid the 
shouts and hurrahs of the enthusiastic multitude. 
Watch was kept nights till after the election, but the 
flag was not molested. The stolen flag was found 
hidden in a stone wall some two years later, but was 
nearlv ruined. 





BERLIN STATISTICS. 






POPULATION AND VALUATION. 




1790 


512 I81O 


591 


1800 


590 1820 


625 







TOWN OF 


BERLIN 




237 


1830 




692 


1870 




1016 


1840 




763 


1880 




987 


1850 




866 


1890 




884 


i86o 




1 106 








Val. 


1784, 


$396,170 


Val. 


1884, 


492,317 


a 


1870, 


423,547 


(< 


1890, 


519,711 


a 


1875, 


483,909 


li 


1894, 


486,801 


a 


1880, 


495,996 









From the above it will be seen that the town has 
made an increase in its population of 372 from 1790 
to 1890, 100 years. Our greatest number was in 
i860, of 1 106, when the town was filled with small 
shops. The decrease since is attributable to the con- 
centration of the shoe business in large establishments 
using improved machinery. 

The valuation increased from 1784 to 1884 $96,147; 
it reached its maximum, in 1890 of $519,711. As 
taken from the Assessors' books of 1894, the number 
of male polls was 251; female, 7 (right to vote on 
school matters); dwelling houses, 231 ; horses, 271 ; 
cows, 555; sheep, 28; neat cattle, other than cows, 
72; swine, 94; acres of land assessed, 7,642!. The 
most marked change in the stock on farms has been 
the substitution of horses for oxen in farm work ; but 
three or four yoke of oxen are now kept in town. 
Sheep husbandry and pork fattening have of late 
decreased in volume. 

PARISH, PRECINCT AND TOWN OFFICERS, I 7 78- I 895. 

Af(?{fe razors. 
Samuel Baker, 1778, '84, '88. Jacob Moore, 1781. 
Ephraim Fairbank, 1779, '83. Fortunatus Barnes, 1782. 
JamesGoddard, 1 78o,'86, '87. David Taylor,i 785,'89,'9i,'93. 



238 



HISTORY OF THE 



Barnabas Maynard, 1790, '92, 
'94-96, '98, '99, 1801, '02, 
'06, '08, '09. 

Stephen Bailey, 1797, 1800, 

'03. '11-13- 
James R. Park, 1804, '07. 
Jonathan Meriam, 1806. 
Solomon Howe, 18 10. 
Henry Powers, 18 14, '15. 
Oliver Sawyer, 1816-29. 
x^sa Sawyer, 1830-46, '48, 

'51- 
William Jones, 1847. 
Silas S. Greenleaf, 1849, '50. 
Amos Sawyer, 1852-58. 



Lewis L. Carter, 1859-61. 
William Bassett, 1862. 
Amory A. Bartlett, 1863-66, 

'79-81, '85 '90. 
Abel W. Longley, 1867-69, 

'72, '74, '75» '77- 
Elijah C. Shattuck, 1870, '71, 

'73, '76. 
Leslie Hastings, 1878. 
Edward H. Hartshorn, 1882- 

84, '86. 
James D. Tyler, 1887, '88, 

'89. 
H. A. Wheeler, 1891, '92, '93, 

'94, '95- 



Town Clerks. 



Jonathan Meriam, 1778-85, 

'89-99, 1800-04. 
John Temple, 1786-88. 
Stephen Bailey, 1805-07. 
Dexter Fay, 1 80S- 15. 
Amos Sawyer, 18 16. 
Solomon Howe, 1817-26. 
Josiah Conant, 1827-31. 
Wm. A. Howe, 1832-37. 
Lewis Sawyer, 1838-45, '50-5 5. 



Oliver B. Sawyer, 1846. 
John F. Newton, 1847-49. 
Otis L. Larkin, 1856. 
Albert Babcock, 1857, '58, 

'74-82. 
Josiah E. Sawyer, 1859-73. 
Frank H. Grossman, 1883-88, 

'89, '90, '91, '92, '93, '94^ 

'95- 



Select)nen. 

James Goddard, 1778-80, Jonathan Meriam, 1779-83, 

'82-84, 181 7. -85, '87, '89-94, '98, '99, 

Abijah Pratt, 1778. 1817. 

Joshua Johnson, 1778, '79, William Sawyer, 1780, '85, 

'81, '88, '89. '87, '99, xSoo. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 239 

William Sawyer, Jr., 17S1, Solomon Howe, 1S07-11. 

'82. Oliver Sawyer, 1 807-11, '17- 

Josiah Sawyer (3d), 1783, 22, '28, '29, '33, '34. 

'90, '92, '94, '97. Silas Houghton (2d), 1808- 

Samuel Baker, Jr., 1788-94. 10, '20. 

John Temple, 1785, '86, '88. Amos Sawyer, 1S09-T1, '17- 

Barnabas Maynard, I 785, '86. 19. 

Henry Powers, I 785, '86, '88- Ephraim Babcock, 1813-16, 

92, '94, '99, 1800, '01, '18, '19, '23-26, '28-33. 

'14-76. Adam Bartlett, 1813-16. 

Timothy Jones, 1787. Wm. Jones, 1S14-16, '20-22, 

Josiah Sawyer, Jr., 1788, '89, '24. 

'91, '99, 1800. Silas Sawyer, 1815, '16. 

Amos Johnson, 1790, 1807, William Barnes, 1817-19, '24, 

'08. '25. 

Levi Meriam, 1791-98, iSoi. Hollis Johnson, 1820-22, '28- 

Stephen Bailey, 1795-9^, 30, '33. '34- 

1812-14. Timothy Bailey, 1820-22. 

Samuel Jones, i 795, '96, '98. Joseph Park, 1823-27, '33-35, 

Samuel Spofford, 1795, '9^- '4^? '43- 

Job Spofford, 1795, '97, '98. Luke Fosgate, 1823-26. 

Ephraim Howe, 1796. Benjamin F. Spofford, 1S23- 

Joel Fosgate, 1797. 27, '33-35, '42, '43. 

Nathan Johnson, i 799-1801. Peltiah Jones, 1825, '26. 

Jonathan Meriam, 1800, '17- Welcome Barnes, 1S26. 

19, '21-23. John Bartlett, 1S27, '31, '32, 

James R. Park, 1801-06, '12, '37, '38. 

'13. Edward Johnson, 1827. 

Caleb Fairbank, 1802-04. Ira Sawyer, 1827. 

Ephraim Howe, 1802-06. Luther Carter, 1827, '28. 

James Goddard, Jr., 1802 07, Levi Wheeler, 1 828- 30. 

'12. Wm. Babcock, 1830-32. 

Alvah Sa>vyer, 1802-06, '12, Abram Sawyer, 183 1, '32. 

'13. Lewis Carter, 1831, '^2, '35,, 

David Barnes, 1805, '06, '12. '36, '41, '49, '50 

Dexter Fay, 1S07-11. Timothy Jones, 1832. 



240 



HISTORY OF THE 



Thomas Erigham, 1833-35. 
Paul Brigham, 1836, '37, '48. 
Samuel Spofford, 1836-38/41. 
Ephraim Babcock, Jr., 1838, 

'39, '49; '50- 
Asa Bride, 1839. 
Jonas Hale, 1839. 
Wm. Jones, 1840, '41. 
Daniel Bartlett, 1840, '44-47. 
Oliver Fosgate, 1842, '58. 
John F. Larkin, 1842, '43. 
Peregrine Wheeler, 1843. 
Silas Sawyer, 1844-48, '51- 

53, '59-6i- 
Jonas Robbins, 1844, '45. 
Samuel H. Wheeler, 1846, '47^ 

'49, '50- 
Seth Rice, 1848. 
Silas Houghton, 1851, '54. 
Lewis L. Carter, 1 85 1-53, '66- 

72, '77-85. '90. 
Abram Bigelow, 1852. 
Hartwell Sawyer, 1853. 
Jonas Sawyer, 1854, '63-65. 
Elisha M. Whitney, 1854. 
Oliver Smith, 1855. 
Josiah E. Sawyer, 1855, '56. 
Ezra S. Moore, 1855, '56. 
George VV. Maynard, 1856, 



Asa Sawyer, 1857. 
Josiah Babcock, 1857. 
Christopher S. Hastings, 1857, 
Henry D. Coburn, 1858-61, 

'69, '70. 
George H. Barnes, 1858. 
Luther Peters, 1862. 
Abel W. Longley, 1862, '63. 
Riley Smith, 1863. 
Wm. Bassett, 1864-69, '73-76. 
Israel Sawyer, 1864-68. 
Lyman Morse, 1870-72, '88, 

'89, '90. 
Edwin Sawyer, 1871-73. 
Robert B. W' heeler, 1873-86, 

'90, '91, '92, '93, '94, '95. 
Frederick Miller, 1874-76. 
Winslow B. Morse, 1877. 
Arthur Hastings, 1884, '91. 
Fred. A. Woodard, 1885-87. 
John Q. Maynard, 1886, '87. 
James D. Tyler, i887,'88,'89. 
Samuel Wheeler, 1888, '89, 

'9h '92, '95- 
Ruthven Hastings, 1878-83. 
Levi Babcock, 1892. 
S. Rolla Carter, 1893, '94. 
D. P. Hartwell, 1S93, '94. 
James E. Andrews, 1895. 



'59-62. 

Assessors. 
Jonathan Meriam, 1778-85, Jonathan Jones, 1781-83 

'89-1804. 
Timothy Jones, 1778-80. 
William Sawyer, Jr., 1778-83, 

'89-94. 



David Taylor, 1784, '85. 
Henry Powers, 1784, '90- 

1803. 
Barnabas Maynard, i 788, '89. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



241 



Amos Allen, 17S5. 
Josiah Sawyer, Jr., 1785-S7. 
John Temple, 1786-88. 
James Goddard, 1786, '87. 
Stephen Bailey, 1795-1802, 

'04. 
David Barnes, 1803, '04. 
James Goddard, Jr., 1805. 
Amos Johnson, 1806, '07. 
Dexter Fay, 1806-08, 'zS. 
Solomon Howe, 1806-12, '14, 

'16, '21-24. 
Wm. Newton, 1808, '09, '13, 

'14. 
Alvan Sawyer, 1S09-11. 
Ephraim Babcock, 18 10, '11, 

'21-24. 
Amos Sawyer, 1S12, '13, '15- 

20, '22-27. 
Silas Houghton, 18 12- 14. 
Jonathan D. Meriam, 18 15- 

i9j '31. '32, '40. 
Stephen Pollard, 1 8 1 5 . 
Ira Sawyer, 1816-18, '25, '26. 
Oliver Sawyer, 1819. 
Thomas Brighara, 1827-37. 
Theophilus Nourse, 1820. 
Daniel Holder, 1825-27. 
Samuel Spofford, 1828, '^^, 

'34, '36-38. 
Asa Sawyer, 1829-33, '39-42, 

'48, '49, '5 7- 
Peltiah Jones, 1829, '30. 
Benjamin F. Spofford, 1S33- 

3S. 
Benjamin Cofran, 1835. 



Jonas Hale, 1S38, '39. 
Eli Sawyer, 1839. 
Daniel Bartlett, 1840, '41. 
Peregrine Wheeler, 1841 43. 
Oliver B. Sawyer, 1842-46. 
Oliver Fosgate, 1843, '5°? 'S^' 
Wm. Jones, 1844-47. 
Oliver Moore, 1844-46. 
Christophers. Hastings, 1847. 
Ira H. M. Brown, 1847. 
Levi Bigelow, 1848-50. 
Solomon Jones, 1848, '49, '57, 
Seth Rice, 1850, '52. 
Silas S. Greenleaf, 185 1. 
Albert Babcock, 1851/53, '56. 
Josiah E. Sawyer, 1852, '53. 
Samuel H. Wheeler, 1852, 

'54/55/60. 
Jonas Sawyer, 1S53. 
Lewis L. Carter, 1854, '60, 

'61, '65, '73, '76. 
Thomas Pollard, 1854. 
Tyler Paine, 1S55. 
Willard Southwick, 1855, '59. 
Riley Smith, 1856. 
Henry D. Coburn, 1856. 
Samuel H. Wheeler, 1S57, 

'58, '60-62, '67-69. 
Edward VV. Flagg, 1858. 
Winslow B. Morse, 1858, '62. 
Josiah Sawyer, 1859, '63-75. 
Riley Smith, 1S59. 
Willard Southwick, 1859. 
Wm. Bassett, 1S60, '61, '72, 

'78-82. 
Nahum \V. Fay, 1862. 



242 



HISTORY OF THE 



Albert p]abcock, 1S63-70. 
Oliver Fosgate, 1863. 
Amory A. Bartlett, 1864. 
Henry D. Coburn, 1866. 
Abel W. Longley, 1870. 
Silas Sawyer, 1870-73. 
Josiah Moore, 1871-72. 
Arthur Hastings, 1873-76, 

'86. 
Wm. Tho. Babcock (2d), 

1874. 
Jonas H. Carter, 1875. 
Elijah C. Shattuck, 1876. 
Silas S. Greenleaf, 1877. 
Israel Sawyer, 187 7-8 1. 
Geo. W. Fosgate, 1878-81. 



Paul A. Randall, 1882. 
Ruthven Hastings, 1882-85. 
John A. Merrill, 1883-87. 
Henry A. Wheeler, 1883-88. 
Robert B. Wheeler, 1887. 
Charles M. Sawyer, 1888, '89, 

'90, '91, '92. 
Walter E. Brown, 1888. 
Willis Rice, 1889, '90, '91, 

'93» '94, '95- 
A. J. Johnson, 1889, '90, '91, 

'92, '93- 
Adin B. Allen, 1892, '93, '94, 

'95- 
John E. Moran, 1894, '95, 



Treasurers and Collectors. 



Samuel Jones, 1778-82. 
Ephraim Fairbank, 1783-87. 
William Sawyer, 178S, '93, 

'94. 
Stephen Bailey, 1789-92, '95. 
Barnabas Maynard, 1896-98. 
Amos Johnson, 1799-1804. 
Levi Meriam, 1805-11. 
Solomon Howe, 1812-22. 
Jonathan D. Meriam, 1823- 

27. 
Samuel Spofford, 18 28- 30, 

'33, '45- 
Peltiah Jones, 1831, 'i-- 
Wm. A. Howe, 1834. 
Amos Sawyer, Jr., 1835-37. 



Oliver Fosgate, 1838, '39. 
George W. Babcock, 1840, 

'41. 
Oliver B. Sawyer, 1842-44. 
Ira Jones, 1846-48. 
Solomon Jones, 1849. 
Christophers. Hastings, 1850- 

63- 
Elisha M. Whitney, 1S64, '65. 
Edward H. Hartshorn, 1866- 

Josiah Moore, 1872, '76-87. 
Ruthven Hastings, 1873-75, 

'88, '89, '90, '91. 
Arthur Hastings, 1892, '93, 

'94, '95- 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



24: 



Joel Fosgate, 1784. 
William Babcock, 1785. 
Jonathan Meriam, 1786. 
Nathan Johnson, 1787. 
James Goddard, Jr., 1788. 
Jonathan Wheeler, 1789. 
Barnabas Maynard, 1790. 
Levi Meriam, 1791. 
Silas Bailey, Jr., 1792. 
Samuel Spofiford, 1793, 1809, 

'32, '33> '45- 
Samuel Jones, 1 794. 
Nathaniel Hastings, 1795'. 
John Larkin, 1796-99, 1800, 

'10, '11. 
Amasa Holt, 180 1-4, '07. 
Solomon Howe, 1808. 
William Newton, 1805. 
James Goddard, Jr., 1806. 
Stephen Pollard, 1812, '14-16. 
Joseph Moore, 18 13. 
Asa Sawyer, 1817-22. 
Barnabas Brigham, 1823-24. 
Luther Carter, 1825-27. 
John Bartlett, 1828-33. 
Amos Sawyer, Jr., 1834-37. 
Oliver Fosgate, 1838-40. 
Josiah Bride, 1841-42. 
R. S. Hastings, 1843-46. 
Silas Houghton, 1850-53. 



Constables. 

Thomas Pollard, 1854. 
A. A. Bartlett, 1855, '85. 
William G. Hapgood, 1856. 
Samuel M. Fuller, 1857, '64- 

68. 
John F. Bennett, 1857, 
Geo. Q. Sawyer, 1858. 
Andrew A. Powers, 1859-61. 
Josiah Moore, 1862-63. 
Frederick D. Kallom, 1863- 

64. 
William H. Frye, 1865. 
Samuel E. Fuller, 1869- 72^ 

'74, '75- 
George H. Andrews, 1872, 

'78, '79, '81. 
John L. Bruce, 1873-79, '82- 

84. 
Henry D. Coburn, 1873. 
Thomas Hale, 1876. 
Warren S. Howe, 1877. 
Charles B. Bancroft, 1886. 
Leonard W. Brewer, 1 88 7-89. 
Appleton D. Parmenter, 1887. 
John O. Osgood, 1888, '90- 

94. 
George W. Knight, 1891. 
Benj. S. Walker, 1892-94. 
Arthur L. Brewer, 1895. 
Henry A. Wheeler, 1895. 



L. L. Carter, 1854. 

Sell ool Co m III it tee . 

R. F. Walcott, 1832, 't^-i,. Asa Sawyer, 1832, '36-38, '40, 

A. C. Baldwin, 1832. '41, '46. 



244 



HISTORY OF THE 



Wm. A. Howe, 1832-34. 
Wm. Sawyer (2d), 1832. 
Horace Bailey, 1833, '35. 
Willard Howe, 1833. 
Michael Burdett, 1834. 
Josiah Bride, 1834-39, '52-55. 
S. G. A.Tyler, 1834. 
Josephus Wilder, 1834. 
David R. Lamson, 1835-39. 
Eber S. Clarke, 1835-37. 
J. L. S. Thompson, 1S35-37. 
Robert Carver, 1838-39. 
Albert Babcock, 1838, '71, 

'73- 
John F. Larkin, 1839, '44, '45. 
Lewis Sawyer, 1839, '49, '50. 
Wm. Jones, 1840. 
G. W. A. Babcock, 1840. 
Edward Hartshorn, 1841-44, 

'52-55. '64, '67- 
Dexter Fay, 1841, '42. 
Oliver B. Sawyer, 1843-45. 
Henry Adams, 1844-48, '52. 
Solomon Jones, 1844, '46, '51. 
Jonathan F. Wheeler, 1844- 

Sfth Rice, 1845. 
Edwin A. Larkm, 1846. 
Ira H. Brown, 1847. 

Representatives 

Henry Powers, 181 2. 

Incorporation of the town. 
Henry Powers, 1813-16, 
'20, '22, '25-27,'29 ; 1817, 
voted not to send ; '18, 
voted the same. 



Levi Bigelow, 1848-50. 
Silas S. Greenleaf, 1851. 
Addison G. Smith, 1851. 
Elijah C. Shattuck, 1856, '57, 

'59, '69, '76-83, '89. 
Charles G. Keyes, 1856. 
Wm. A. Houghton, 1853-58, 

'6o-66,'7o, '73,'8o, '83/86. 
Gardner Rice, 1857. 
Lemuel Gott, 1858, '62. 
Wm. Bassett, 1858, '62, '65, 

'68, '71, '78. 
Ira O. Carter, 1861. 
Daniel H. Carter, 1871. 
Ansel L. Snow, 1872. 
Miss Mary Bassett, 1875. 
Mrs. Sarah H. Sawyer, 1875. 
Pliny B. Southwick, 1876, '77. 
Miss Mary J. Keyes, 1881. 
Mrs. Addison Keyes, 1885-88. 
Amasa A. Whitcomb, 1884. 
Henry W. Hastings, 1887-90. 
Henry A. Wheeler, 1890 

(I year vacancy), 1891 

(3 years), 1894. 
Geo. F. Pratt, 1 89 1 (2 years ) ; 

(Hastings resigned), 1893. 
Mrs. Isaac F. Parmenter, 1892, 

'95- 
to General Court. 

Amos Sawyer, 1819, '23, '24. 
Jonathan D. Meriam, 1828, 

'ZO-Z2, '36, '1%. 
Joseph Park, 1833, '34, '3 7^ 

'39- 
Ira Sawyer, 1835. 



TOWN OF BERtlN. 245 

Win. Jones, 1840; '41 and Amos Sawyer, Jr., 1849, '5°- 

'42, did not send. Lewis Sawyer, 185 i, '52. 

Oliver B. Sawyer, 1843. Lyman Morse, 1889. 

Seth Rice, 1846. Arthur Hastings, 1893. 

Representxiives of the Fifth Worcester County District. 

George W. Maynard, 1859. Edward H. Hartshorn, 1869. 

Lewis L. Carter, 1879. Samuel Haynes, 1873. 

Rev. Henry Hyde, 1884. John C Bickford, 1874. 

Dr. Edward Hartshorn, 1862. E.G. Shattuck, 1875. 
Abel VV. Longley, 1865. 

Senators. 

Hon. Samuel Baker, I 780-94 ; Hon. William Bassett, 1864. 
less two years. 

Justices of the Peace frofn 1778 to iSQj. 

Hon. Samuel Baker. Lewis Sawyer. 

Ephraim Fairbank. Albert Babcock. 

Amos Johnson. Josiah E. Sawyer. 

Levi Meriam. Wm. Bassett. 

Solomon Howe. Pliny B. Southwick. 

Jonathan D. Meriam. Amory A. Bartlett. 

Thomas Brigham. Samuel M. Haynes. 

Asa Sawyer. Abel W. Longley. 

Amos Sawyer. James D. Tyler. 

Wm. A. Howe. Ruthven Hastings. 

Josiah Babcock. Arthur Hastings. 



246 HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER V. 
GENEALOGICAL. 

The committee in charge of preparing the manu- 
script for the press have followed the form and 
arrangement of families as left by Mr. Houghton as 
nearly as possible, making only such additions and 
corrections as would make the work more clear and 
comprehensive to the reader. 

The limits of the work do not permit the insertion 
of every name who may have lived in town, but only 
such families as may have resided here long enough 
to have become identified with the town either by 
residence or official relation. vSome may have been 
omitted which should properly appear herein, and 
other names appear which might with propriety 
have been left out, but no invidious distinction has 
actuated the compilers in this regard. The abbre- 
viations are comparatively few, and it is believed will 
be readily understood by the reader. In some of the 
families with numerous branches the pedigree is 
indicated by the numerals i, 2, 3, etc. ; in the others 
by b., born; d., died; s. or dau., son or daughter; 
rem., removed; res. stands for residence, resides, or 
resident. 

That mistakes in dates will appear is more than 
probable, as the material from which they have been 





^.^^ptfc^^^ 


■M 




a. 



.Mr. and Mrs. Charles K. Ali.kx, p. ^-^-. 




Mr. and JMrs. I.i.wis 1^. CARXtR. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 247 

taken has been often veiled in partial obscurity. 
We ask for a charitable judgment of the work, which 
has cost immense labor from first to last in its com- 
pilation. 

ADAMS. 

Rev. Henry Adams, son oiChQsier Adsivcis, president 
of Charlestown Bank, m. Sophia Field, b. in London 
Jan. 15, 1800. She was sister to Elizabeth, the 
mother of George B. Grasse of Bolton. They were 
cousins to Macadam, the originator of macadamized 
roads. He was a graduate of Amherst College and 
Andover Theological Institute. Was some years 
pastor in Worthington; next at "Hillside Church," 
Bolton, originated by Hon. S. V. S. Wilder. Mr. 
Wilder, after his return from France, attended church 
mostly in Berlin till Hillside was organized, 1827, 
and dissolved 1843. Mr. Adams settled here the 
same year. Mr. Adams was later pastor in Peoria, 
111. ; afterwards took orders in the Episcopal church; 
had charge in Akron, O., and in New Jersey. He 
d. with his dau., Elizabeth, in Wichita, Kan., 1881, 
a. 88 years. His wife died at Elgin, 111., Jan. 10, 
1885, with son Henry W. Had Elizabeth, Sarah, 
Henry W. and Chester. He was succeeded here by 
Rev. W. A. Houghton. 

ALLEN. 

Charles K. Allen, b. in Reading, s. of John A. 
Allen, who was born in Salem 181 3. Charles K. m. 
Harriet B. Pratt May 9, 1876. Came to Berlin 1893, 
res. on the Lyman Morse farm. Had Henry M., b. 



248 HISTORY OF THE 

Oct. 26, 1883, d. May 27, 1893 ; Florence B., b. Nov. 
12, 1886; Arthur B., b. Oct. 5, 1889; Walter J., b. 
Oct. 19, 1891 ; Charlotte, b. Jan. 8, 1894. 

Ajiws Allen, m. Mary, dau, of Abijah Pratt. In 1 788 
Pratt bought "the farm where Amos Allen now 
lives," across the swale southwest of the Daniel 
Wheeler house ; old cellar visible. Jonathan Greene, 
resident on the hill, also m. a dau. of Pratt. No 
other record. 

Nathan M. Allen, s. of Nathan and Harriet, b. in 
Pittsfield, Vt, 1829, m. Lovisa, dau. of William Bab- 
cock, 2d, Feb. 21, 1850. Settled on the place next 
north of Duncan McPherson's. The town opened a 
road for him a few years ago. He was three years 
in the army; was much incapacitated by the service. 
He d. May 20, 1886, at 57 years; wife d. Oct. 29, 
1890. Had W^illiam N., b. 1850; Isaac E., b. vSept. 
21, 1853 ; Joseph A., b. Aug. 17, 1855 ; Mary H., b. 
Aug. 16, 1857, i^- George Davis of Worcester, who 
d. same year; m., 2d, Charles Davis, 1882; Charles 
vS., b. Nov. 9, 1859 ; and Elmer E.,b. Feb. 6, 1862, who 
retains the homestead, and m. Mary S. Barnes, dau. 
of Millen Barnes, June 29, 1892 ; they have had 
Walter M., b. July 12, 1893. 

Adi)i B. Allen, from West Springfield, b. Nov. 10, 
1852, m. Jennie E. Clapp Feb. 14, 1879. Lives in 
south part on the old Joshua Johnson farm. The old 
house was burned in 1 886. He built the new one now 
on the premises. By trade a mason. Had Harry E., b. 
April 24, 1881 ; Howard R., b. Jan. 9, 1883; Abbie 
S., b. April 14, 1886; May A., b. July 12, 1888; 
Dwight Adin, b. Sept. 25, 1894. 



TOWN OF BERIJN. 249 

AMES. 

George W. Ames, from Cambridge, m. Caroline, 
dau. of Pel tiah Jones, May 20, 1838. She d. Dec. 
5, 1873; m., 2d, Emily, dau. of Ephraim Babcock, Jr., 
June 17, 1874; she d. Nov. 25, 1875 ; m., 3d, Lucy 
E. (Babcock) Eager, dau. of Josiah Babcock, June 
28, 1876; he died July 29, 1882. His widow still 
occupies his place on the road from the Centre to 
the Old Colony depot. 

ANDREWS. 

The Andrews of this town are a branch of the 
Boylston family of Andrews, who appear to have 
been descendants of one Robert Andrews, who set- 
tled in Ipswich in 1635. His great grandson, Robert, 
was the head of the Boj'lston families and d. 1789. 
James Andrews, s. of Robert of Boylston and a 
descendant of the first Robert, m. Persis, dau. of 
Samuel Kendall of Boylston. He was a grocer in 
Worcester, and d. there in 1 8 5 1 . Had two sons, 
Samuel ElHot, b. Feb. 11, 1839, ^^d George H., b. 
Nov. 22, 1840. They came here early in life and 
learned the shoemakers' trade. 

Samuel Elliot Andrews, s. of James, m., Jan. 30, 1864, 
Mary A. Barnard, dau. of Winsor Barnard of Boylston. 
Has a pleasant residence facing the Common, next 
-east of the Town Hall. Was a soldier in the late war 
in the Louisiana campaign. Had Cora A., b. April 
15, 1866, d. May 4, same year; Arthur K., b. May 
19, 1867; George E., b. Feb. 14, 1870. 

George H. Amirews, s. of James, m. Adeliza J., dau. of 
Rufus Howard, Sept. 7, 1862. He resides in Carterville. 



250 HISTORY OF THE 

Was a soldier in the campaign with his brother. 
Had James E., b. Sept. 12, 1865; Cora E., b. Aug. 
12, 1874, d. Oct. 15, 1875; Nettie E., b. March 26, 
1876. 

James E. Aiidrcivs, s. of George H., m. Flora M., 
dau. of William T. Babcock, 2d, Jtine 10, 1885. 
vShe d. Nov. 21, 1892. He is foreman of Par- 
ker's shoe factory. Had William H., b. Sept. 4, 1 8S5. 

George E. A)idrezvs, s. of Samuel E., m. vSuvSie L,, 
dau. of Daniel P. Hartwell, Aug. 5, 1894. Is a shoe, 
maker and lives with his father. 

BABCOCK. 

The families of this name in Berlin are descendants 
of David Babcock, who was in Dorchester 1640, d. 
1 67 1. He, by wife Mary, had eleven children. The 
second was Benjamin, who had by his wife Hannah 
Daniels, m. 1674, seven children; the second son 

was William, b. 1684, m. Lucy of Marlboro 

in 1 7 10. He had by Lucy (one son only on record), 
William, b. 171 1, and this William settled in the 
west part of Northboro, on the place since owned by 

Asa and David Mahan. His wife was Lydia . 

Had three sons— William, Reuben and Jonas. Wil- 
liam, Sr., died in Chesterfield 1801 or 1802. The two 
younger sons, Reuben and Jonas, settled probably 
on the ancestral lands : Reuben on the Lowell Hol- 
brook place and Jonas on the Stone farm. William, 
the oldest, came to Berlin and settled on the place 
now owned by Joseph Turner. 

William Babcock, s. of William of Northboro, m. 
vSibyl, dau. of Aaron Green of Northboro. Had 




MK.S. I'ALL HKK.IIA.M. 

El.ISllA liAStSETT. 
EXEKETT 11. BAILEV. 



1' l< hllh.KICK S. I!A1 1.1'.\ . 

MKS. ELIJAH IIK.ELOW. 

MKS. JOHN K. BENNETT. 

KKANCIS \V. HAILEV. 



ELIJAH HIGELOW. 
GtOKGE II. HARNES. 
JOHN F. BENNETT. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



25r 



Aziibah, b. Oct. 15, 1764, m. Thomas Brigham; 
Abraham, b. June 9, 1770, settled in Boston; his 
dau., Nancy, m. Chandler Carter; his s., George 
Abram, built the house now owned by Edward 
Flagg; Ephraim, b. March 22, 1772; Wheeler, b. 
April 4, 1774, d. Oct. 4, 1778; Sibyl, b. Sept. 13, 
1776, m. John Howe; William, b. April 29, 1780; 
Peter, b. Sept. 9, 1782, m. Betsey Wilder; hed. 1837, 
and she m., 2d, Levi Bartlett; Lucy, b. June 29, 1785, 
m. Ephraiin Fairbanks, 3d. Wife, Sibyl, d. June 23, 
1790, at 46. He m., 2d, Hephzibah (Bush), widow of 
Robert Fife; she d. July 30, 1826, a. 72 ; he d. Dec. 31, 
1820, a. 79. At the signal guns April 19, 1775, he 
left his work in the field and hastened to Lexington. 

Ephraim Babcock', William' of Berlin, m. May 4, 
1793, Eunice Sawyer, dau. of Josiah, Jr. Their 
homestead was that of Ephraim Larkin, now Duncan 
McPherson's. Had Josiah, b. Jan. 9, 1795; Ephraim 
and Eunice, twins, b. June 9, 1798; Eunice cl. 1803; 
Abraham, b. May 20, 1802, d. Sept. 14, 1803; 
William, b. Aug. 12, 1804; Abraham, b. May 20, 
1806; Alvin, b. Nov. 21, 1808; Curtis, b. Oct. 9, 
1 8 10, d. Nov. 7, 1830; Lois Moore, b. Sept. 10, 181 2, 
m., Sept. 10, 1834, Oliver Stone of Clinton; Harriet, 
b. Nov. 10, 1 8 14, m., Oct. 16, 1835, William, .son of 
Ira vSawyer; Eunice, b. March 30, 18 17, m. Josiah E. 
Sawyer. Ephraim, Sr., d. Feb. 15, 1852, at 81 years, 
in a house built by his son, William, near the O. C. 
R. R. water tank. West Berlin. Eunice, his widow, 
d. March 10, 1863, at 88 years, with her dau., Mrs. 
Josiah E. Sawyer. 

Williarii Babcock', William' of Berlin, m. Hannah, 
dau. of Uriah Moore of Princeton. He settled on 



252 HISIORV OK I'HE 

the farm now owned by Richard M. Wheeler; he 
bought the place of Jonathan Merriam 18 18. Had 
Luther, b. July 3, 1808, d. Oct. 9, 1878, unm. ; Albert, 
b. Sept. 10, 1 8 10; Abigail, b. x\ug. 26, 18 12, d. Jan. 
5, 1834; Edwin, b. March 8, 181 5, d. Nov. 2, 1825; 
Sarah, b. March i, 1817, d. April 11, 1839 ; Jonathan, 
b. July 25, 1 8 19; William Thomas, b. Feb. 20, 1822; 
Lovisa, b. Aug. 28, 1824, m. Nathan M. Allen. He 
d. Sept. 14, 1 861, at 81 years; she d. Jan. 7, 1845. 

JosiaJi Babcock\ Ephraim', William', m. Betsey 
Bowman, dau. of Simeon, April 4, 1820; res. in West 
Berlin, where his son, Levi, now lives. Had Eunice 
Alma, b. Feb. 9, 1822, m. Curtis, son of Daniel 
Carter, Jr., Nov. 24, 1842, res., Kennedy, N. Y. ; 
Aaron B., b. Aug. 28, 1823, m. Mercey K. Sparrow 
Sept., 1849, rcs., Boston; shed. ]\Iay 14, 1886; m., 
2d, Mrs. EUzabeth Stevens; Elnor M., b. Oct. 13, 
1825, d. Dec. 5, 1826; Lucy B., b. Aug. 17, 1827, d. 
May 4, 1829; William Ira, b. July 21, 1829; Curtis, 
b. Feb. 5, 183 1, d. March, 1894, res., Rockland, Mass. ; 
Lucy Ellen, b. Dec. 28, 1832, m. Augustus Eager of 
Westminster; they had Charles D. and W^illiam 
S.; Augustus d. 1871; she m., 2d, George W. Ames 
of Berlin; Josiah G., b. Jan. 12, 1835, m. Abbie M. 
Burgess, res., Clinton; Dexter, b. Feb. 15, 1837, d. 
July I, i860; Levi, b. March 28, 1839; Harrison 
Tyler, b. April 17, 1841, m. Adelaide Hix, res., Green- 
field ; Ann Maria, b. Nov. 18, 1843 ; George Abraham, 
b. Dec. 21, 1845. Josiah d. Dec. 4, 1859, at 64 years ; 
wid. Betsey, d. Mar. 5, 1889, at 85 years. 

Abraham Babcock\ Ephraim", William', m. Patience 
Fife June 6, 1830; was a carpenter; lived in Marl- 
boro, Worcester, and other places ; had res. in West 






JOSIAH BABCOCK. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 25 J 

Berlin. His wife, Patience, d. Oct. 9, 1857; had no 
child ; m., 2d, Sabra Wood, widow of William Wood 
of Marlboro; by her had Waldo S., b. Nov. 13, i860. 
Abraham d. May 3, 1874. 

Alvin Babcock\ Ephraim^ William', m. Hannah 
Wood of Bolton 1830, res., Bolton, Boylston, Lancas- 
ter and Clinton. Had Hannah Amanda, who m. 
George Colbiirn of Boylston, now Clinton. Their child, 
Alvin, d. May 12, 1845, aged 10 years; Alvin, Sr., d. 
April 7, 1880. 

EpJiraiin Babcock\ Jr., Ephraim", William', m. ]\Iary 
Ann, dau. of Francis Barnard of Marlboro and grand- 
dau. of Robert Barnard, who m., 2d, the widow of 
Benjamin Bailey 1729. This Robert was connected 
with the mills at Hudson. Ephraim lived on the 
place now owned bv his son, Francis, and before 
owned b}^ Luther Pollard. Had Waldo, b. July 20, 
1828, d. Sept. 7, 1 831; Elizabeth B., b. Sept. 21, 
1830, m. Joel L. AVheeler, m., 2d, Ebenezer Dailey ; 
Francis, b. July 18, 1832; Emily, b. 1839, m. George 
W. Ames; Augusta A., b. 1841, m., June 23, 1871, 
Waldo Brigham of Hudson; John D., b. Sept. 30, 
1844. Ephraim d. Jan. 18, 1864; his widow is still 
living, jMarch, 1S95. 

William Babcock\ Ephraim', William', m. Catherine 
Hastings of Boylston. Had no children; he d. in 
Lancaster ; he built the house opposite L. L. Carter's, 
West Berlin. 

William Ira Babcock\ Josiah', Ephraim', AVilliam', 
m. Ellen, dau. of William Jones. Settled in Clinton; 
is a wheelwri2:ht. 



254 HISTORY OF THE 

Levi Babcock\ Josiah', Ephraim", William', m. Maria 
C. Felton, dau. of Henry O., Jan. 30, 1869. He 
lives in the west part on the place before occupied 
by his father ; is a carpenter and part owner of the 
Pollard mills. Had by Maria C, Ethel May, b. 
April II, 1877; Irving- L., b. Jan. 24, 1882. Wife, 
Maria C, d. Aug. 14, 1885; m., 2d, Addie L., June 
27, 1888, sister to Maria C. 

Francis Babcock\ Ephraim', Ephraim', William', m. 
Jennie E. (Miller) Bigelow of Holliston Nov. 15, 
1 87 1. He continues on the homestead of his father, 
the Luther Pollard place ; he was a soldier in the late 
war; the}- have one child, C. Edith, b. March 13, 1876. 

John Davis Babcock\ Ephraim", Ephraim", William', 
m. Ella S., dau. of Chauncey P. Hartwell Apr. 30, 
1870. He is a carpenter and resides in Westboro ; 
they have had five children, of which three are living. 

Albert Babcock\ William% William', m. Mary B., 
dau. of Thomas Sawyer, May 7, 1836. He settled 
on the homestead of his uncle, Ephraim, where 
McPherson now lives; he taught school when a 
young man and was town clerk many years; he 
removed to the Riley Smith house in Carterville 
1873; his wife, Mary B., d. Nov. 19, 1892; rem. to 
Hudson Feb., 1884, and lived with his dau., Sarah A. 
Had Edwin, b. Aug. 6, 1838, m. Irene, dau. of Dea. 
Luther Peters, Jan. 5, 1864, removed to Worcester; 
William Thomas, b. Oct. 18, 1840; Sarah A., born 
July 24, 1850, m. George M. Shattuck; he died; m., 
2d, Joseph vStratton, Jan. 8, 1879. 

Jonathan Babcock\ William", William', m. vSusan 
(Cutting), wid. of Oliver Moore. He occupied his 




WILLIAM BAKNES. 

MKS. SYLVANUS BRUCE. 

SYLVANUS BRUCE. 



AKTtMAS ISAKNKS. 

PAUL BKIGHAM. 

L. W. BREWER. 

CAPT. WM. BARiNES. 



MRS. WILLIAM BARNES. 
IRA H. BROWN. 
KnWARD BLISS. 



TOWN' OF BERLIN. 255 

father's house until 1857, when he removed to Barre, 
Mass., where he died 1888. 

William Thomas Babcock\ William", William', m. 
Eliza Maynard, dau. of Mrs. Priscilla (Maynard) Bab- 
cock, Nov. 7, 1850. He settled on the farm formerly 
owned by Luther Carter in the north part of the town. 
Had Hannah, b. July 6, 1854, m. Frank Davis, res., 
Hubbardston; Frank E., b. Aug. 11, 1861 ; Mary A., 
b. March *20, 1857, m. Charles Walcott, she d. 1880; 
Josephine, b. March 20, 1864, m. WaiTen Clifton 
Pierce of Northboro; Herbert, b. Jan. 20, 1859, d. 
1864; Charles W., b. Nov. i, 1865; Sarah J., b. 
March 19, 1867, m. William R. Eraser; Abbie S., b. 
March 12, 1870, m. Wilfred March, res., Westboro. 
Wife, Eliza, d. Nov. 3, 1872. 

William Thomas Babcock, s. of Albert, m. Harriet 
M., dau. of Hartwell Sawyer, Nov. 19, 1865. He lives 
in the Centre on the Clinton road, house built by Levi 
Hartshorn. Had Flora j\L, b. Jidy 1 7, 1 866, m. James 
E. Andrews; Alice E., b. July 3, 1870; Mary M.. b. 
June 29, 1874; Effie M., b. April 7, 1872. d. June 
30, 1872, at 3 mos. He is a shoemaker and was a 
soldier in the late war. 

Riiibcn Babcock, s. of Reuben of Northboro and 
Hannah Goddard, m., 1822, Sarah Bond of Marlboro. 
He lived on the John Collins place in northwest part 
of the town 1840-50. Their children were Elisha, d. 
1824; Charles D., d. in California; James W., d. in 
California; Sarah R., m. Ezra Crocker, lives in South 
Wellfleet, Mass., her husband died in the army. 
Reuben's wife, Sarah, d. 1842; m., 2d, Mrs. Grace 
(Kelley) Young, mother of Nancy, Oliver and John 



256 HISTORY OF THE 

M. Young. Wife, Grace, d. 1843; n^-. 3^1- Mrs. 
Priscilla (Hawes) Maynard of Stow Oct. 3, 1843; 
had by her, Martha A., b. March 30, 1845 ; she now 
lives in Berlin Centre in a house built by herself and 
her half sister, Josephine. Priscilla had by her former 
husband, Eliza A. Maynard, Charles H. Maynard, 
George J. Maynard, who lives in Minneapolis, and 
Josephine Maynard, b. July 8, 1840, d. May 16, 1891 ; 
Charles H. was in the Berlin quota in the fiirmy, was 
taken prisoner at Gettysburg, was exchanged, and d. 
in the Invalid Corps, 1864, in Washington; Reuben 
d. Dec. "9, 1 870, at 83 ; his wid, d. May 1 8, 1 88 1 , at 8 1 . 

BAILEY. 

In the earlier settlement of this part of Lancaster 
the Bailey family occupied a prominent position. 
They became large land owners, and were influential 
and respected in this section of the town. Benjamin, 
the first on our territory and the head of the family 
here, moved from Marlboro here about 1722. He 
was probably a grandson of Rev. Thomas Bailey and 
son of John of Scituate. Rev. Thomas was a brother 
of Rev. John Bailey of Watertown and Boston, and 
was b. in Lancashire, Eng., 1644, and was assistant 
to Rev. Samuel Willard at the Old South in Boston, 
1692. 

Bcnjaviin Bailey, b. 1682, m. Deborah, dau. of 
Eleazer Howe of the John Howe line, Marlboro. He 
settled on the place now owned by Marcus M. God- 
dard, which he bought of John Houghton, 3d, 1718; 
120 acres "lying upon or near a brook called the 
Great brook, not far from the southeast corner of 
Lancaster, and is the land on which the said John 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



257 



has built and now liveth, the house near a little 
brook, 120 rods from the Great brook." He was a 
constable and tax collector in Lancaster 1723. Had 
by Deborah, Benjamin, b. 171 3; Barnabas, b. 171 5; 
Benoni, b. 1 7 1 7. Wife, Deborah, d. 1 7 1 8 ; m., 2d, Eliza- 
beth, dau. of Daniel Howe, of the Abraham Howe 
line, and had by her Daniel (no record of date); 
Elizabeth, m. Josiah Wheeler, s. of John, Sr., and 
settled in Boylston; Silas and Timothy, the latter 
probably d. unm. He d. 1726, age 44; his wid. m, 
Robert Barnard of Marlboro (owner of the Hudson 
mills) 1729. 

Benjamin Bailey", Benjamin', m. Sibella, dau. of 
James Howe of Westboro, iVpril 4, 1738. He occu- 
pied the homestead (the ^M. M. Goddard place); he 
largely added to his acres until his domain extended 
from the Johnson land on the south to what is now 
Carterville and including a part of Powder House 
hill on the north, and from the Israel Sawyer place 
on the cast to Merrick Felton's on the west. He d. 
Feb. 14, 1790; his wid. d. Oct. 4, 1803. Had Israel, 
b. Sept. 8, 1741 ; Deborah, b. Aug. 5, 1743; Joseph, 
b. Sept. 8, 1745 ; these three by Bolton records d. in 
same Sept., nth, 17th and 29th; Benjamin, b. Aug. 
29, 1747; Ebenezer, b. July i, 1749; Desire, b. ^Iay5, 
I75i,m., 1768, Jonathan Moore, Jr. ; Stephen, b. Sept. 
-9' 1753; Sibella, b. Jan. 19, 1756, m. Dr. Benjamin 
Nourse; she d. 1797; Catherine, b. 1758, m., 1799, Dr. 
Benjamin Nourse. Tradition holds that two of the 
sons never married. Ebenezer held land west of 
Sawyer hill, called in will, 1790, "the Sawyer place 
and buildinsfs." 



258 HISTORY OF THE 

Bcnoni Bailey', Benjamin.' He owned land north 
of his bro., Barnabas ; also land in Stow, (No rec.) 

Barnabas Bailcf, Benjamin', m. Elizabeth, dau. of 
Samuel Stephens of IMarlboro, July 21, 1748. He 
lived on the place recently owned by Winslow B. 
Morse. Their son-in-law, Jacob Moore, built the 
Dr. Brig-ham house, just above, retained probably 
by Barnabas, as Asenath gave it to her daughter, 
Seraphina, who m. Josiah Crossby ; Jacob Moore set- 
tled in Searsmont, N. H. Had Elizabeth, b. April 
2, 1749; m. Jacob Moore, s. of Isaac, Sr. ; Mary, b. 

Feb. 13, 1751, m. Richardson; Phebe, b. June 

13, 1754, m. Peter Richardson of Grafton; Asenath, 
b. Aug. 12, 1760, m. Samuel Brigham. Barnabas 
d. May 23, 1790; his wid. d. April 25. 18 13. 

Col. Silas Bailcf, Benjamin', m. Lucy, dau. of 
Jedediah Brigham of Marlboro. He settled on the 
place now owned by Edward Flagg. Had Timothy, 
b. Feb. 9, 1749; Bertha, b. Oct. 4, 1752 ; Silas, b. 
July 22, 1756; Lucy, b. Jan. 6, 1759, m. Jabez Fair- 
banks, who was grandfather to Col. vSilas B. Fair- 
banks, lately of Hudson; Amherst, b. Jan. 27, 1761 ; 
Calvin, b. Jan. 2, 1763. Wife, Lucy, d. May 14, 
1778, aged 52 years; he m,, 2d, Mrs. Elizabeth (Rice), 
wid. of Capt. Paul Brigham of Marlboro ; wdfe, Eliza- 
beth, d. (no rec); m., 3d, Catherine, dau. of Eleazer 
Howe of Marlboro. Col. Silas was a plucky patroit ; 
though entangled in the Shays embroglio, he squarely 
refused to be impaneled on the jury should a certain 
judge preside. He d. Oct. 30, 1793. at 70 years ; 
Catherine, wid., d. April 16, 181 1, at 74 years. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



259 



Lieut. Timothy Bailey'^, Col. Silas^, Benjamin^ m. 
Martha, dau. of Luther (?) Barnard. Had Bethia, b. 
1775, m. Jesse Wood; Jedediah, b. 1777; Levi, b. 
1778. Lieut. Timothy lived on the Merrick Felton 
place ; he was early in the American army, and his 
early promotion vShows his soldierty qualities ; he left 
his home in 1777 for Rhode Island; he d. at New- 
port the same year; all records fail us as to his 
particular service or manner of death. Artemas 
Barnes, Esq., erected in 1876 the monument in 
the old cemetery, which commemorates his patriot- 
ism. 

Si/as Bailcy\ Col. Silas', Benjamin', m. Levina 
Bartlett of Northboro. He settled just over the line 
in Northboro on the place of E. Warren Pierce, 
where William Goddard, the miller, lived before. 
Had Timothy, b. Aug. 2, 1780; vSilas, b. June 8, 
1782; Holloway, b. May 18, 1784; Calvin, b. Feb., 
1786; Betsey, b. 1789, d. same year; Levina, b. July 
18, 1790, m. Martin Houghton of Bolton; Lewis, b. 
Jan. 4, 1792. All these, except Timothy, were bap- 
tized in Berlin. He d. Oct. 23, 1840: wife d. Oct. 
12, 1840. 

AmJierst Bailef, Col. Silas', Benjamin', m. Lydia, 
dau. of Fortunatus Barnes, March 28, 1785. He 
succeeded to the homestead, now the Edward Flagg 
place. Had Lucy, b. Feb, 18, 1787, m. Peter Larkin, 
2d, d. in Holliston; William, b. Aug. 15, 1789, d. 
unm., 1834; Silas, b. Feb. 28, 1796, d. 1797; Persis, b. 
1793, m. Leonard Carter of Boylston March 9, 18 17: 
Sarah, b. Dec. 23, 1799, m. Benjamin Gould of Bos- 



26o HISTORY OF THE 

ton, d. in Lancaster; Calvin, b. Jan. lo, 1801, d. 
unm., 1833; Hannah, b. Jan. 7, 1804, m. Simeon 
Bowman of Lancaster and Clinton ; Zilpah, b. Nov. 
6, 1 806, m. Arad Newton of Philadelphia ; Lucinda, 
b. Aug. 25, 1810, m. George Stratton of Lancaster. 
Amherst d. Nov. 9, 1830; wid., Lydia, d. Dec. 14, 
1844. 

Dca. Stephen Bailef, Benjamin", Benjamin', m. 
Sally, dan. of Dr. Samuel Crosby of Shrewsbury. 
Dr. Crosby was a surgeon in the Revolutionary war. 
Dea. Stephen's homestead was the present residence 
of Ira Jones, of 86 acres; he was chosen deacon 1807. 
Had Clarissa, b. March 10, 1779, m. Jedediah Bailey, 
she d. in Pelham April 24, 1838, buried in Ware; an 
infant son d. Alarch 13, 1781; Algernon Sidney, b. 
May II, 1782, d. in preparation for the ministry, 
1808; Winthrop, b. May 7, 1784. Eusebia, b. 
June II, 1787, m. Jonas Sawyer, d. at Pelham 
Feb. 27, 1821; Sally, b. Feb. 9, 1789, d. Sept. 22, 
1789; Emma, b. Oct. 27, 1790, m. Esquire Asa 
Sa,wyer; Horace, b. April 23, 1793, m. Elizabeth 
Whitney of Westboro, where he lived, except a few 
years in Berlin, on the place now owned bv Robert 
Newsome; s., Alfred, d. here 1831 ; he d. March 24, 
1870 ; had also Frederick, who lives in Brooklyn, N. 
Y., and Alvina W., m. George E. Fisher of West- 
boro ; his wid. d. 1893 ;''Myra, b. Nov. 15, 1795, m. 
John Tyler of North Brookfield 1821, she d. Nov. 
21, 1868; Stephen, b. April 19, 1798, m. Olive Ham- 
ilton^of North Brookfield, he d. March 27, 1861 ; had 
Joseph E., b. March 12, 1823, d. Nov., 1894, at Spring- 
field; Ca.roline H., b. Jan. 2, 1825, m. Enos King 



TOWN OK BERLIN. 26 1 

of Hopkinton; Adelaide H., b. March i8, 1827, m. 
Joseph B. Knox of Worcester. Dea. Stephen's wife, 
Sally, d. Oct. 13, 1812 ; hem., 2d, a cousin of his first 
wife, wid. of Rev. Mr. Dudley; he d. Feb. 12, 181 5. 

Holknvay Bailcy\ Silas', Silas\ Benjamin', m. Lucy, 
dau. of Benjamin Sawyer of Bolton. They had three 
sons. In the oldest the venerable patronymic reap- 
pears "Benjamin," and perhaps ancestral ministerial 
bias; he graduated at Harvard College 1854; has 
been pastor in Portland, Marblehead and jSIalden ; 
he m., 1864, Emily F. Sampson. They have Salina 
W., Henry H. and Benjamin P.; two others have d. 
S. Henry, the second s. of Holloway, responded to his 
country's call in the late war; w^as captain of Com- 
pany G in the 36th Regiment; he was killed by a 
musket ball in the head at Spottsylvania, May 12, 
1864. John, the third s., m. a dau. of Judge 
Dewey of Williamstown ; res. in Newton; holds 
the clerkship of the estate of Hon. Mr. Roach of 
New Bedford. Thus the last representatives of 
this once numerous and influential family have 
disappeared from us and this vicinity; may the 
stock revive. He d. F'eb. 12, 1872; wife Lucy d. 

Feb. 9, 1 86 1. He m. 2d, Richardson; d. 

1877. 

JedcdiaJiBailcy\\AQ\!i\..'Y'\riio'(kvf, Silas", Benjamin', 
m. Clarissa, dau. of Dea. vStephen Bailey, April 17, 

1800. Lived on the Merrick Felton place; the 
family moved to Athol about 1824. Had Eliza, b. 

1801, d. 1806; Clarissa, b. Dec. 22, 1802, d. 1805; 
Sally Crosby, b. May 17, 1805; Clarissa, bap. 1807; 



262 HISTORY OF THE 

Eusebia, b. 1809; Sophy Spooner, b, 1812 ; Algernon 
Sidney, b. 18 16. 

Dca. Timothy Bailcy\ Silas', Silas', Benjamin', m. 
Sarah Whitney of Westboro 1806. He lived on the 
place now owned by Rufus R. Wheeler; the house 
was burned a few years ago. Had Benjamin F., b. 
Jan. 29, 1807, he m., Dec. 31, 1831, Sarah B. Whit- 
ney of Worcester, where he has since resided ; Sarah 
E., b. Jan. 25, 1809, d. Jan. 27, 1837; Silas, b. Oct. 
13, 1 8 1 1 , lives in Princeton ; George L., b. Dec. 18, 

18 1 7, m. Cox of Hudson. Dea. Timothy d. 

Sept. 3, 1837 ; wife d. April 1 1, 1840. 

At the request of Everett H. Bailey, Esq., of St. 
Paul, Minn., a descendant of the Rev. Winthrop 
Bailey, who was a son of Dea. Stephen Bailey of this 
town, we insert herein the genealogical record of the 
family of the Rev. Winthrop, which certainly will be 
of special interest to the members of the Bailey 
family scattered abroad, but few of the descendants 
of the Bailey family are still within our limits ; they 
have sought more enlarged and enticing fields of 
usefulness in other localities. They gave character 
and standing to our town in its early history, and it 
is a gratifying fact to know that the name is still 
honored in other communities where they may 
reside. 

Rev. Thomas Bailey, b, in Lancashire, Eng., 1644. 

J oJin Bailey, b. in Scituate, Mass., before 1670, m. 
Sarah White Jan. 25, 1672 ; m., 2d wife, Ruth Clothier, 
Dec. 9, 1699. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 263 

/. Boijauiin Bailey of Berlin, Mass. (moved from 
Marlboro 1722), b. 1682, d. 1726; m. Deborah Howe, 
dau. of Eleazer Howe, of John Howe line of Marl- 
boro; m., second wife, dau. of David Howe of Abram 
Howe line. 

2. Benjamin Bailey, b. 171 3, d. Feb. 14, 1790, m. 
April 4, 1738, Sibella, dau. of James Howe of West- 
boro. 

Dea. Stephen Bailey, b. Sept. 29, 1753, d. Feb. 12, 
181 5, m., Feb. 8, 1779, Sarah Crosby, dau. of Dr. 
Samuel Crosby of vShrewsbury. 

Rev. Winthrop Bailey, b. May 7, 1784. Graduated 
at Harvard College 1807; entered a three years' 
course at Andover Theological vSeminary ; settled in 
Brunswick, Me., in 18 10, as minister of the Congre- 
gational Church, and was tutor in Bowdoin College 
to 1 8 14; m., Jan. 6, 18 14, Martha Stanwood, dau. 
of Col. William Stanwood of Brunswick; settled 
in Pelham, Mass., 1814; was minister of the Congre 
gational Church there until 1823, when he became a 
Unitarian and moved to Greenfield, taking charge of 
the new Unitarian Church; lived in Deerfield 1831- 
1835 ; was principal of Deerfield Academy ; died there 
]\Iarch 16, 1835. Children: Sarah Crosby, b. in 
Pelham April 5, 181 5; Hannah Stanwood, b. in Pel- 
ham Jime 8, 1817; Martha Grey, b. in Pelham Feb. 
19, 1 8 19; Francis Parkman, b. in Pelham Nov. 26, 
1820; Elizabeth Lee, b. in Pelham Nov. 21, 1822; 
Annie J., b. in Greenfield Feb. 12, 1826; Isabella, b. 
in Greenfield Feb. 12, 1828; Mary Duncan, b. in 
Deerfield May 23, 1831. 



N 



264 HISTORY OF THE 

Sarah Crosby, dan. of Rev. Winthrop Bailey, b. 
April 5, 181 5; m., at Deerfield, Mass., Dec. 4, 1834, 
vSamuel T. Hallock of Milton, N. Y. ; resided for 
many years at Riceville, Pa. Children : Martha 
Elizabeth, b. Nov. 6, 1835; Winthrop, b. Feb. 2, 
1838; Seraphina Joy, b. Nov. 13, 1840, d. Nov. 5, 
1850; Sara Isabella, b. April i, 1843, d. JuneQ, 1850; 
Hannah Stanwood, b. Nov, 26, 1845; Patrick Falco- 
ner, b. March 30, 1849; Nicholas Edward, b. Aug. 
29, 1852; Nathaniel, b. Feb. 21, 1858, d. Aug. 26, 
1858. Mrs. Hallock d. Oct. 12, 1881; Mr. Hallock 
d. Sept. 25, 1877. 

Martha Elizabeth, m., Aug. 5, 1868, Newton A. T. 
Carroll; reside in Buffalo, N. Y. Children: Theo- 
dora May, b. May 8, 1869; Horace Greeley, b. Jan. 
12, 1873; Winthrop Thomas, b. Feb. 11, 1877. 

Dr. Winthrop Hallock, m., Jan. 20, 1859, Mary Kent 
Shew ; reside at Cromwell, Conn. Children : Frank 
Kirkwood, b. Aug. 18, i860; Susan Clarke, b. April 
21, 1869, m., vSept. 6, 1893, William Couch of Du- 
buque, Iowa. 

Patrick F. Hallock, m., Oct. 27, 1877, Julia Anna 
Barto of Oyster Bay, L. I. Children : Robert Patton, 
b, March i, 1879, d. Sept. 3, 1881 ; Edith, b. Jan. i, 
1882, d. Nov. 2, 1889; vSara Barto, b. Sept. 8, 1884. 

Nicholas Edward Hallock, m., May 21, 1878, Phebe 
Keith of Rome, N. Y. ; reside at Bradford, Pa. 
Children: Annie Constance, b. Feb. 20, 1883, d. 
inf.; Charles Samuel, b. April 19, 1884; Florence 
Bailey, b. March 15, 1886. 

Hannah Stanwood, dau. of Rev. Winthrop Bailey, 
b. June 8, i8i7;m., June 26, 1842, at New York, 



^^^ff^^* 





h 



•1 



FRANCIS PARKMAN BAILEY. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 265 

Horatio N. Conant ; lived in Milwaukee, Wis., where 
tie died Sept. 20, 1859. Children: Ella Stanwood, 
b. March 16, 1843, d. Jan. 27, 1847; Ernest, b. March 
26, 1847, d. Dec. 20, 1884; Frederick Holland, b. 
June 18, 1849, d. Feb. 26, 1854. 

]\Iartha Grey, dau. of Rev. Winthrop Bailey, b. 
Feb. 19, 1 8 19; m., at Milwaukee, Wis., Sept. 11, 
1 845, Rufus W. Pier of Jamestown, N. Y. Children : 
William Stanwood, b. July 20, 1846, d. Dec. 27, 
1892; Caroline B., b. July 23, 1848 ; Clarence, b. July 
15, 185 I, d. inf.; Charles ]M., b. July 15, 185 1. Mrs. 
Pier d. .at Pittsburg Dec. 24, 1888; Mr. Pier d. at 
Pittsburg- Sept. 30, 1893. 

William Stanwood Pier, b. July 20, 1846, m., Jan. 
4. 1 87 1 , Alciphron Moore of Linmore, Pa. Children : 
Arthur Stanwood, b. Nov. 9, 1871, d. inf.; Arthur 
Stanwood, b. April 21, 1874; Florence, b. Nov. 21, 
1876; Roy, b. Oct. 2, 1880; Evelyn, b. Dec. 30, 1882, 
d. July 31, 1883 ; Winthrop Bailey, b. June 19, 1886. 
Mr. Pier d. at Pittsburg Dec. 27, 1892. 

Charles M. Pier, b. July 15, i85i,m., May 13, 1877, 
Anne Elizabeth White. Children: Martha Grey, 
b. Feb. 16, 1878; Mary Catherine, b. Aug. i, 1880, 
d. May 5, 1881; Florida, b. Sept. 24, 1883. M., 
2d wife, Ida E.Richardson Dec. 14, 1887. Children 
by her: Clifton Willard, b. Jan. i, 1889, d. Aug. 
20, 1892; Albert Floyd, b. Aug. 19, 1890, d. inf. ; 
Stanwood Bailey, b. Aug. 4, 1892, d. inf. 

Francis Parkman Bailey, s. of Rev. Winthrop Bailey, 
b. Nov. 26, 1820. Engaged in business at Utica, N. 
Y.. 1839; at Dexterville, N. Y., 1840-2; at Milwau- 
kee, Wis., 1843 (with H. N. Conant & Co.); moved 



2 66 HISTORY OF THE 

to Jamestown, N. Y., in 1844, and was associated 
w4th Frank W. Palmer and Ebenezer P, Upham as 
proprietors of ih.Qjajncstozi<)iJo?(r)ialMnt\\ about 1850; 
m., Oct. 12, 1847, Caroline Pier, dau. of Rufus Pier 
of Jamestown, N. Y. ; moved to Erie in 1850; was 
clerk with Lester, Sennett & Chester (foundry) ; in 
1852 was teller and general clerk for the banking 
house of Williams & Wright; in October, 1853, was 
formed the banking firm of C. B. Wright & Co., 
composed of C. B. Wright, F. P. Bailey, C. E. Gun- 
nison, who continued until the latter part of 1858, 
w^hen C. B. Wright bought out Bailey and Gunnison 
and rented banking rooms to the Bank of Commerce. 
F. P. Bailey closing up the affairs of C. B. Wright & 
Co. in 1860, was formed the banking firm of Vincent, 
Bailey & Co., composed of B. B. Vincent, F. P. 
Bailey, William Bell, Jr., W. S. Lane and John 
Wood, which continued until 1865. In 1864 a 
charter was procured for the jMarine National Bank 
of Erie, of which F. P. Bailey was cashier until his 
decease, December 17, 1888. Children: Everett 

H., b. April 10, 1850; Katharine, b. , d. inf. 

Airs. Bailey d. July 14, 1859. M., Feb. 7, 1861, 
2d wife, Martha Pier, dau. of Norman Pier, Titus- 
ville, Pa. Children by her : Francis Winthrop, b. 
July II, 1866; Florence E., b. Feb. 8, 1868. 

Everett H. Bailey, b, April 10, 1850, m., June 2, 
1874, Jennie L. Jones, dau. of Judge F. A. Jones of 
Toledo, O. ; res. at St. Paul, Minn. Have one s., 
Frederick Stanwood, b. Oct. 31, 1880. 

Elizabeth Lee, dau. of Rev. Winthrop Bailey, b. 
Nov. 21, 1822, m. Oct. 20, 1842, wSamuel Erastus 



TOWTS^ OF BERLIN. 267 

Foote of Jamestown, N. Y. Children : Francis 
Bailey, b. July 24, 1844, d. Aug, 23, 1851; Charles 
Stanwood, b. March 7, 1847, d. Aug, 15, 1847 
Emerson Lee, b. Nov. 25, 1848; Annie Cheney, b 
March 10, 185 1 ; Elizabeth, b. Sept. 20, 1854, d. inf, 
Mary Isabella, b, July 23, 1856, d. Sept. 26, 1857 
Arthur Hoyt, b. July 28, 1858; Emily Kneval, b 
Jan. 18, 1862. Samuel Erastus Foote d. at St. Louis 
July 7, 1884. 

Emerson Lee Foote, m. June 28, 1887, Julia C. 
Chase of St. Louis; res. at Sligo, Mo. Children: 
Francis Bailey, b. Nov. 20, 1888; Edward Chase, b. 
Oct. 4, 1890; John Alden, b. Sept. 2, 1892. 

Arthur Hoyt Foote, m., Nov. 7, 1882, Gertrude E. 
McGill, Northeast, Pa. ; res. at St. Louis, Mo. 
Children: Eleanor Bailey, b. Sept. 21, 1883; Lucy 
Dodds, b. Feb. 20, 1885 ; Arthur, b. Oct. 24, 1889, d. 
April 12, 1891; Horace Stanwood, b. Dec. 28, 1891. 

Annie Jean, dau. of Rev. Winthrop Bailey, m., 
June 5, 1843, J. Warren Fletcher of Jamestown, N. 

Y. Children : Francis, b. — , d. inf. ; Frank 

Winthrop, b. Jan. 20, 1849; Belle, b. 185 i, d. Jan. i, 
1857; Charles Baile}', b. July 12, 1856; Sarah Maria, 

b. , d. inf.; Susan, b. , d. inf. Mrs. 

Fletcher d. March 3, 1872. 

Frank Winthrop Fletcher, m., June 15, 1872, Mary 
H. Buck ; res. at Minneapolis, Minn. Children : 
Harry Bny^ant, b. April 29, 1875; Annie Jean, b. 

, d. inf.; Fred Bailey, b. May 22, 1880; Bessie 

Stark, b. Sept. 10, 1882; Cyrus Don, b. July 14, 
1885 ; Robert Buck, b. March 9, 1891. 

Charles Bailey Fletcher, b. July 12, 1856, m. Kate 



2 68 HISTORY OF THE 

E. Cunningham, at Centralia, 111., Nov. 27, 1878. 
Children: Howard, b. Feb. 12, 1880; Annie Jean, 
b. Feb. 22, 1882; Florence Mabel, b. Aug. 8, 1884; 
Warren, b. Feb. 2, 1890. 

Mary Duncan, dau. of Rev. Winthrop Bailey, b. 
May 23, 1831, m., May 15, 1852, Knute Alfred Peter- 
■son, Milwaukee, Wis. Children : Knute Duncan, 
b. May 6, 1854; Mary Elizabeth Kemper, b. Sept. 29, 
1857; Alfreda Hallstrom, b. March 4, 1861, d. June 
19, 1861 ; Helena Mabel Hallstrom, b. Feb. 26, 1863, 
d. Oct. 6, 1881 ; Maude Evangeline, b. Oct. 25, 1865, 
d. July 17, 1866; Miriam Grace Birdseye, b. Feb. i, 
1 87 1. Mr. Peterson d. April 9, i876;j\Irs. Peterson 
d. July 20, 1886. 

Knute Duncan, in., April 22, 1878, Sarah Caroline 
Nicholson of Milwaukee. Children : Frank Alfred, 
b, March i, 1879, d- J^^b" -3» ^^79 '1 Harold Stuart, 
b. Aug. 4, 1880; Robert Duncan, b. May 15, 1888, d. 
April 13, 1 891; Anne Elizabeth, b. July 26, 1890; 
George Duncan, b. June 9, 1892. 

Everett H. Bailey, s. of Francis P. Bailey and 
Catherine Pier, was b. in Jamestown, Chautauqua 
•Co., N. Y., April 10, 1850. His parents moving to 
Erie, Penn., he received his primary schooling at the 
Erie Academy. In 1867 he entered Antioch College 
at Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he pursued his studies 
for three years. In July, 1 87 1 , he went to Minnesota, 
entering the First National Bank of St. Paul as clerk ; 
the following autumn went to Winona, Minn., ac- 
cepting with Mark Willson, formerly of Sugar Grove, 
Penn., a position in the newly organized Second 
J^^ational Bank of that city. Was appointed cashier 




THE OLD STONE HOUSE. 

(judge SAMUEL BAKER's.) 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



269 



of that bank in 1872. In the spring of 1873, havmg 
sold his interest in the Winona Bank, he returned to 
St Paul re-entering the First National Bank of St. 
Paul as receiving teller; afterwards paying teller, and 
in May 1880, was elected a director and cashier of 
that institution, which position he still retains after 
twenty-two years of continuous service m the bank 
Was m., June 2, 1874, to Jennie L. Jones, dau. of 
Tudo-e F. A. Jones of Toledo, Ohio. Two children 
were born to them: a dau., d. in infancy, and a s., 
Frederick Hanwood Bailey, b. Oct. 31, 1880. 

JUDGE BAKER FAMIT>Y. 

Hon Samuel Baker settled on our territory when 
we were a part of Bolton, 1748. His pedigree ap- 
pears from any records at hand to be exceedingly 
obscure and perplexing, and but for the aid rendered 
by Dr H P Walcott of Cambridge, "a descendant ot 
Tudo-e Baker, we should be unable to clear up the 
mvstery of his birth and parentage. It is evident 
that Edward Baker, who came to this country m 
1630 and settled in Saugus, now Lynn, on a hill still 
known as "Baker's hill," was the ancestor of our 
Hon. Samuel Baker, the lineage running down 
throuo-h son Edward^ to grandson Edward\ b. July 
16 1 6^96 who was one of the first settlers of West- 
boro and the father of Samuel of our town. This 
Edward^^ m. Persis, dau. of Samuel and Elizabeth 
^Howe) Brigham, Nov. 22, 1 781, and had ten children, 
the oldest of which was Samuel, b. Aug. 27, 1722. 

Samuel Baker, s. of Edward of Westboro, m., 
Nov. 24, 1747, Susanna Taintor, b. Dec. 18, 1720, 



270 HISTORY OF THE 

dau. of Simeon of Westboro. In 1765 he boug-ht 
of John Houghton, 3d, 200 acres or more, with house 
in which "he liveth," situated on what since has been 
called "Baker's hill." The records indicate another 
house on the premises besides John Houghton's. 
He probably moved on to this place previous to 1765. 
His earliest record here was the birth of his dau., 
Persis, in 1750. He built the large two-story stone 
house on the premises, still in good repair. It is on the 
southern slope of the Wataquodock hills, and com. 
mands an extensive view of the surrounding country. 
This house was built soon after the close of the 
Revolutionary war, and the stones for its construc- 
tion were quarried on the place. The farm was sold 
by the heirs of Judge Baker in 1 804 to Adam Bartlett. 
Since Bartlett's decease it has been in the hands of 
Levi Bartlett and Alden wSawyer, and is now owned 
by J. Henry Sawyer. The record of Judge Baker's 
public life is honorable. Tradition tells of his hurry- 
ing to Lexington on the 19th of April, 1775. He is 
known to have been a staunch opposer of the "Shays 
rebellion," and was once assaulted on his way home 
from court by some rebel sympathizer, but this inci- 
dent failed to intimidate him, or dampen his zeal in 
the maintenance of good government. He was one 
of the seven delegates in the Worcester convention 
who voted for the adoption of the Constitution in 
1789; was senator for Worcester county from 1780 
to 1793, two years excepted; was one of the trustees 
of Leicester Academy; was judge in the Court of 
Common Pleas from 1775 to 1795, and was councilor 
at his death. Such is the record of this distinguished 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 27 I 

man, whose name has reflected more honor on the 
town than an}' other in its history. Had by wife, 
Susanna: Susanna, b. 1748, m., Nov. 3, 1774, Eli 
Harrington of Alstead, N. H. ; Persis, b. Feb. 16, 
1750, m. Josiah Sawyer, Jr. ; Samuel, b. July 3, 1753 ; 
Edward, b. June 15, 1755; Abel, b. Aug. 8, 1757 ; 
Mary, b. May 5, 1760, m. Jabez Walcott; Betty, b. 
March i, 1763, m. Jabez Fairbanks; he d., she m., 
2d, Eli Harrington, her deceased sister's husband ; 

he d., she m., 3d, Thurston of Fitchburg; he 

d., and lastly she m. Dea. Isaac Davis of Northboro; 
she survived him and d. at the age of 87, and was 
buried in Northboro. 

Susanna, wife of Judge Baker, d. April 14, 1781. 
He m., 2d, April 20, 1786, Mary Bigelow of Worces- 
ter ; what her maiden name was does not appear ; she 
had a s., Augustus Bigelow. Jr., who lived on the 
Sanderson Carter place ; had no children by last wife ; 
she survived him and d. in Worcester 1825. Judge 
Baker d. May 4. 1795. and was buried in the old 
Cemetery here in Berlin beside his first wife. The 
inscription on the headstone reads: 

Erected in memory of 

Samuel Baker, Esq., 

who departed this life 

May 4, 1795, 

in the 73d year of his age. 

A more enduring monument and one worthy of 
his name should be erected to perpetuate his memory. 

Lieut. Samuel Baker, Jr., s. of Judge Baker, m. 
Hannah Bush of Bolton May 25, 1778. He lived in 
this vicinity until about 1807, when the family moved 



272 HISTORY OF THE 

toTempleton, wherehe d. Jime2 2, 1825. Had eleven 
children, b. from 1781 to 1801, namely: Samuel, 
Susanna, Artemas, Eli, Joseph, Levi, Jonas, Calvin, 
Luther, Hannah, Oliver and Otis. The two last 
were graduates of Yale College, in 1829 and 1831 re- 
spectively; both d. 1834. 

Edward Baker, s. of Judge Samuel, m. Hephzibah 
Fairbanks Oct. 13, 1778. He lived in Bolton until 
after his father's decease, when he removed to 
Waterford, Me. Had seven children, b. from 1781 
to 1 796, namely^: Sally, Luke, Keria, Edward, 
Hepsy, Persis and Betsy. 

Abel Baker, the other s. of the judge, m. Polly, 
dau. of Phineas Howe, Feb. 19, 1784. They resided 
in Bolton until about 1789, when the family removed 
to Concord, N. H. ; before removal had four children, 
namely: Polly, Betsey, John and Marshall; after 
removal had seven children, as we learn from Con- 
cord records, namely : Abel, P.arna, Achsah, Susan, 
Samuel, Sophia, Clarissa. This Abel, Jr., s. of Abel 
and Polly (Howe) Baker, settled in Henniker, N. H., 
and w^as the father of Nathaniel B. Baker, who was 
governor of New Hampshire in 1856, and was adju- 
tant general of Iowa during the late war. He 
removed from New Hampshire to Clinton, Iowa, and 
d. in Des Moines Sept. 13, 1876. It appears from 
Barton's "History of Concord" that Abel, Sr., had a 
saw and grist mill, and the saw-mill was the first in 
Concord; that his w^ife was indeed a "helpmate;" 
that she handled the grists while he tended the saw- 
mill ; could carry three bushels of corn in one bag. 
(See Phineas How^e.) 



TOWN OF BKRI.IN. 273 

Mary Baker, dau. of Judge vSamuel Baker, m. 
Jabez Walcott 1781. Had several children, of whom 
Samuel Baker Walcott was the seventh, b. March 7, 
1 795 ; he graduated at Harvard College in 1 8 19 ; filled 
many offices of responsibility ; was a lawyer by pro- 
fession; res., Salem; he d. Dec. 4, 1854. His wife 
was Martha, dau. of Hon. Benjamin Pickman, a 
prominent citizen of §alem. Of his children, Dr. 
H. P. Walcott of Cambridge was the fifth, b. Dec. 
23,1838; graduated at Harvard College in 1858; 
studied medicine ; spent several years abroad in the 
prosecution of his studies ; has been chairman of the 
Mass. State Board of Health since 1886; was previ- 
ously a member of the State Board of Health, Lunacv 
and Charity, from 1880 to 1884; has been president 
of the Association of the Local Boards of Health; 
was the orator of the Mass. Medical Society in 1879; 
delivered the address on medicine at Yale College in 
1893 ; also an address at the opening of the Hygienic 
Institute of the University of Pennsylvania in 1892; 
has been one of the Board of Overseers of Harvard Col- 
lege, and is now one of the Board of Presidents and 
Fellows of that institution and a member of the 
American Academy of Arts and vSciences and also of 
the ]Mass. Historical Society, and for three years he 
was president of the Mass. Horticultural Society. A 
bjother of his. Gen. Charles F, Walcott of Cambridge, 
b. Dec. 22, 1836, graduated at Harvard College in 
1857; studied law; entered the army on the breaking 
out of the war; was captain in the 21st Regt., Mass. 
Vols., and was promoted to lieutenant colonel and 
colonel of the 6ist Regt., and finally was made a 
brigadier general, having achieved a most honorable 



2 74 HISTORY OF J'HE 

distinction while in the service. He d., prematurely, 
it would seem, in 1887, at the age of 51 years. The 
above record of these distinguished men is sufficient 
of itself to show the high character and ability of 
the descendants of one who was born and matured on 
Berlin soil. 

Bcnjaviin Baker, from Gloucester, R. I., m., 2d 
wife, Dinah Wheeler, May 4, 1787. He was a black- 
smith; he owned and lived on the present Farwell 
farm ; first in an old house somewhat back of the 
present one; he sold to Stephen Wheeler, his son-in- 
law, and bought of Joseph Howe in 1790 "the place 
on which Howe now lives;" sold this to Moses 
Coolidge ; the old cellar on the north edge of Gates' 
pond marks the house spot; Coolidge sold to Joel 
Fosgate in 1795 ; Baker lived last on the Ira Brown 
farm, bought of Benjamin Bruce. Had children, b. 
from 1758 to 1774: Jonathan; Miriam, m. Stephen 
Wheeler; Dinah, m. Ephraim Larkin ; Eliza- 
beth; Stephen; Hulda; Hannah, m. James Rich; 
Esther, m. William Faulkner; Amity, m. vStephen 
Wheeler. 

JonatJiaii Baker, s. of Benjamin, m. Thankful 
Wheeler. Had Anna, b. May 13, 1789, m. David 
Wheeler of Bolton 1808, father to our David B. 
Wheeler. Wife, Thankful, d. He m., 2d, July 18, 
1792, Mary, dau. of Benjamin Bruce. They had 
Dinah, b. May 11, 1793. He d. April 7, 1798. 
Jonathan Baker is our Quaker victim of persecution 
a hundred years after the Salem and Boston suf- 
ferers. 



TOWN OF BERtlN. 275 

Stephen Baker, s. of Bejamin, m. Katy Brown 1795, 
both of Berlin. He settled on the homestead of his 
father, the Brown farm, 181 5. No other record. 



BALL. 

Micali R. Ball, s. of Elijah of Boylston, m. Sarah 
Lincoln of the Hingham family. In early life Mr. 
Ball learned the saddlers' trade of Amasa Holt, who 
lived on what was formerly the E. C. Shattuck place ; 
was here 1 804-7 : '^^ moved to Leominster, but re- 
turned and built the house owned afterwards by Dr. E. 
Hartshorn in 1834; two infant children d. here. Dau., 
Relief, m. Charles Woodbury of Boston; she d. in 
1880; William L. of Louisville was killed in the 
Mexican war; Sarah m. Obed Rice, lives in Hud- 
son; Nancy M., m. Milton Thorn of Salem, N. 
H., where she d. ; George S., m. Hannah B. Nourse 
of Bolton; he has been pastor of the Unitarian 
Church in Upton since 1849; they have had seven 
children. Mark, bro. to George S., d. in Harrisville, 
N. Y. 

Alvin Ball, s. of Nathan of Northboro, lived in 
the Hartwell house in the west part; d. here March 
16, 1870, a. 69. 

BARBER. 

Nathan Barber, probably a s. of Mathew of Shrews- 
bury and a descendant of Joseph of Watertown, 
bought the mills at the west part, lately owned by 
Henry O. Felton, of William Pollard in 1777; this 
William bought of his brother, John Pollard, in 



276 HISTORY OF THE 

1756; his purchase included "the mill place" and a 
saw-mill. John had bought the mill of John Butler, 
and his house was back of the house where George 
Felton now lives. The "Barber house," which stood 
opposite Levi Babcock's, was built by William Pollard 
in 1760. The first mill, built by Butler was some 
distance up the stream, and a long bridge spanned 
the stream where the road now runs. He m. Mar- 
garet in 1766. Had Lucy, b. May 28, 1788; 

she m. Nathan Rice of Northboro; their s., Dennis, 
m. Laura, dau, of Amasa Holt of Berlin ; their only 
s., John Rice, is professor of mathematics in the U. 
S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. Had other 
children; some went to Maine and some to Marlboro, 
N. H. ; his name appears last on the tax list of 
1 8 1 1 . 

BARKER. 

Tilson W. Barker, from Bethel, Me., b. Sept. 27, 
1 8 18; came to town in 1854; m. Catherine, dau. of 
Lyman Howe of Marlboro ; was a blacksmith ; lived 
where John Q. ]\Iaynard now resides; had a shop 
near by; he removed to Bolton. Had George D., b. 
in 1849, d. in 1855; Alanson W., b. Sept. 27, 1851 ; 
Ella G., b. Sept. 23, 1854; Herbert D., b. Aug. 15, 
1859. Wife d. Dec. 24, 1885, a. 60 yrs. 

BARNES. 

Fortimatus Barms, the first of the name here, was 
a descendant of Thomas Barnes, who came over in 
the Speedwell in 1656 and settled in Marlboro. 
Abigail Goodnow came with him from England, and 



TOWN (»F HF.RLIX. 277 



she became his wife a year later. The records do 
not sav whether they made love on the way. The 
line of descent is through John and Jonathan to 
Fortunattis, great grandson of Thomas. (A sister of 
Fortunatus m. Solomon Bowker, who once owned 
the Joseph Priest place.) Tradition holds that Mr. 
Barnes held a claim on our Phineas Howe estate, on 
which cattle were kept and fed in racks on "Rack 
meadow." (He bought eighty acres of the Howe 
farm, eighty acres of the Lancaster proprietors and 
119 acre'^s of John Hudson, and some more of John 
Fry.) This extensive ownership determined the 
name of -Barnes hill." vSouth of the present home- 
stead was an old house occupied by the Goodnows. 
Daniel Goodnow's tax was abated in 1787. Further 
on up the hill lived a Dafford family and also a 
Foster familv. I«)bn Hudson was on top of the hill 
(he was grandfather of Hon. Charles Hudson). The 
Barnes purchase included the most of these. "Barnes 
hill" gives a view of Wachusett seldom equaled. 
The centennial of the homestead was impressively 
observed in 1 866. A generous collation was prepared 
by the family under the beautiful arbor of maples 
which adorn the home and the town. Hon. Charles 
Hudson made an interesting address. Many senti- 
ments were offered and responded to by citizens and 
guests. These maples were planted by Artemas 
Barnes. 

Fortunatus Barnes, s. of Jonathan of Marlboro, b. 
Sept. 25, 1738, m. Persis Hosmer of Concord Oct. 
18 1764; settled on Barnes hill. Had David, b. 
Aug. 27, 1765; Lydia.b. July 20, 1767, m. Amherst 
Bailev; Hannah, b. June 20, 1770, ni. Ephraim 



HISTORY OF THE 



Howe; William, b. April 5, 1773; Persis, b. May 5, 
1779, m. Silas Priest; m., 2d, Peltiah Jones. He d. 
Nov. 9, 1807; vvid. d. Sept. 16, 1821. 

Capt. William BaniL's\ Fortunatus', m. Hannah 
Goddard, dau. of James, Sr., May 28, 1795. He 
occupied a part of the homestead where his dau., 
vSarah, has since lived ; he built the house now stand- 
ing on the premises. The place now, 1894, is in 
possession of William H. Brown. Had Artemas, b. 
June 7, 1796; Betsey, b. Dec. 20, 1798, m. Josiah 
Cotting; Hannah, b. Sept. 18, 1801, d. Jan. 8, 1864, 
unm. ; Lucy, b. Jan. 20, 1804, m. Lowell Holbrook 
of Northboro, 1838; vSarah, b. May 5, 1808, retained 
the homestead, unm., d. Oct. 3, 1894, at 86; Martha 
W.,b. April II, 181 1, d. Aug. i, 18 14. Had. Oct. 
24, 1853; wid. d. Jan. 6, 1863, at 89; Mrs. Cotting d. 
at the homestead Jan. 28, 1883. 

David Barnes", Fortunatus', m. Asenath Moore 
May 4, 1 790. He lived on a part of the homestead, 
the same now owned by George H. Barnes ; built the 
old red house now standing on the premises. Had 
Welcome, b. Aug, 15, 1793 ; Daniel, b. Jan. 24, 1795; 
David, b. Dec. 25, 1800, m. vSubmit Willard of 
Boylston, res. in Barre; Asenath, b. vSept. 13, 1802, 
m. Jonathan Fawcett of Northboro; John, b. 
Oct. II, 1805, m. Patience Harlow of Shrewsbury. 
He d. May 9, 1837; she d. May .26, 1847. 

Welcome Barnes', David", Fortunatus', m. Hannah 
Jewett, dau. of Jesse. He lived on the place now 
owned by Alfred C. Derby ; built the brick house 
now on the premises. Had no children; he d. 




THOMAS C. BERRY'S HOUSE. 




GEORGE H. BARNES' HOUSE. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 279 



Nov 9, 1830; she m., 2d, Luke Wliitcomb of Bolton, 
who occupied the homestead several years. Luke s 
dau., Mary, m. John B. Gough. 

Daniel Barnei, David\ T^ortunatus', m. Betsey 
Lono-lev of Bovlston June 13, 182 1. He remained on 
the homestead of his father. Had Mary Sophia, b. 

June i-y 1 822, m. Oliver Carter; Caroline E., b. Aug. 
"16 18-3 m. Levi L. Flagg of Boylston; Israel L., 
b. May 19, 1825; Angenette, b. Dec. 10, 1826, m. 

Levi Brigham of Boylston; James \\., b. July i, 

,830 d Dec. 28, 1830; Rhoena, b. Oct. 21, 1828, m. 

Charles Whitcomb of Bolton; George Henry, b. Dec. 

18 1831 ; Harriet J., b. Aug. 10, 1833, m. Samuel H. 

Hastings, res., Worcester; James W.,b. May 15, i835, 

d 1840; Asenath,b. July2 5,i839,ni.JohnF.Bartlett, 

res Bovlston; Martha, b. March 30, 1837; D^vid, b. 
Oct'. 19,' 1843, m. ^liranda Parker, res., Shrewsbury; 
child, Daniel Webster, b. June 6, 1841, d. May 21, 
1848. He d. Nov. 6, 1854; wid. d. Sept. 13, 1881, 
at 82 ; she left more than seventy descendants. 

Israel L. Barncs\ Daniel', David\ Fortunatus', m. 
Mrs Maria Bates, wid. of Clarendon of Sutton ; res. 
on the Ruggles place in the east part of Boylston. 
Had Bessie M., b. March 9, 1870; Charles I., b. Nov. 
23, 1871 ; Daniel H., b. Feb. 22, 1875. 

Gcoroc H. Barncs\ Daniel', David\ Fortunatus", b. 
Sept ^9 1832; m. Eliza Batcheller May >i, 1859, 
dau of Simeon of Upton. He continues on the 
homestead of his father ; built the elegant new house 
now on the premises. Had Mary Imogene, b. Oct. 
.6 i860, d. Dec. 10, 1874; John Henry, b. April 26, 



2SO HISIORV OF THE 

1864; Lucy vSopliia, b. Nov. 18, 1865 ; George Daniel, 
b. Dec. 25, 1868. 

Mcllcii Barnes, b. in Marlboro Oct., 1809; moved 
here from Boylston Oct., 1888; m. Eliza R. McNeil. 
Had Laura A., b. April 20, 1835 I Ellen M., b. Aiv^-. 
14, 1839; Harriet A., b. Aug. 19, 1841; Eliza J., 1 . 
May 28, 1843 ; Sarah A., b. March 3, 1849; Mary vS., 
b. April 8, 1857, m. Elmer E. Allen. He d. Jul\- 
26, 1892; wife d. Nov. 27, 1892. 

Artcnias Banns, s. of William, m., April 15, 
1822, Nancy Merriam of Leominster. Born: 
Martha Washington, Jan. 29, 1823, m., May 6, 
1858, George A. Chamberlain of Worcester; Wil- 
liam Merriam, Jan. 3, 1825; Betsey Maria, Aug-. 
25, 1826, m., Ma3% 1848, John C. Tabor of Mont- 
pelier, Vt. ; she d. Jan. i, 1883; Nancy Jane, 
Feb. 14, 1828, m.. May 5, 1850, William H. Brown 
of Princeton; she d. May 26, 1854; vSarah Ellen, 
April 15, 1832, m., Oct. 17, 1861, William H. Brown. 
Wife, Nancy, d. July 16, 1832. He m., 2d, Alice 
Stetson of Boston Sept. 3, 1835, she d. Nov. 16, 
1849, i^ Princeton. He d. in Worcester Feb. 2, 
1877, aged 80. Mr. Barnes, though much away 
from Berlin, was a most hearty townsman, earnest in 
its religious, social and financial welfare. Personally 
he was a devoted New Churchman. He gave the 
land for .the Town House. Erected, at generous ex- 
pense, the beautiful monuments commemorative of 
Rev. Dr. Puffer and of Lieut. Timothy Bailey. 
"Barnes hall" is commemorative of his naine and 
generosity. His portrait adorns our Town hall. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 28 I 

Capt. Williaui M. Barnes, s. of Artemas, was a sea cap- 
tain ; never resided here, but we counted him as of us. 
His active life is indicated above. He was more 
than thirty-five years on ocean voyages, and much 
of the time in command. vSailed mostly from New 
Bedford in the oil trade. He m. Emilv F. Cummino-s 
of Nashua and was there settled. They have Anna 
F. Barnes. He d. in Nashua, N. H., March 8, 1887. 

A TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF CAPF. WILLIAM M. BARNES 
[Taken from a Nashua Paper.] 

Capt. William M. Barnes, for eight years past a resident of 
this city, died at home on Walnut street at four o'clock this 
morning. The deceased was a man of so rare and deserving 
qualities as to merit more than a passing notice. He was born 
in Lancaster, Mass., on the third of January, 1825. His father 
was an intelligent farmer of Puritan ancestry. Capt. Barnes in 
early boyhood manifested the industrious and scholarly habits 
which marked his maturer years, ranking at Leicester Academy 
at the head of his class. The day he became of age he left 
New Bedford and began a voyage of three years before the 
mast on an Arctic whaleship. Gradually gaining the confidence 
of his employers, he advanced step by step till he became com- 
mander — a position he held for more than twenty-five years. 
His voyages were uniformly successful, and his services were 
always in demand. It is remarkable that during his long 
experience as commander no one of his crew was lost by acci- 
dent or disease. He was familiar with most of the islands of 
the central and northern Pacific, had sailed through Behring 
straits more than thirty times, and coasted along the Arctic 
shore of Alaska beyond Point Barrows. By constant study on 
shipboard, he had acquired an extensive and accurate knowl- 
edge of history and of almost every department of science and 
literature. 



282 HISTORY OF THE 

All who have ever known Capt. Barnes will bear witness to 
the kindness of his heart and the generosity of his nature. It 
is no exaggeration to say that no thoughtless act or word of 
his ever caused a moment's pain to others. His courtesy and 
sympathy were as spontaneous as the pulsations of his heart. 
In April, 1875, he married Emily F., daughter of R.M.Cummings- 
of this city. More recently he had passed several years in this 
city and at his summer home at Asquam lake. One year ago 
he took command of a whaleship at San Francisco, and made 
the customary voyage to the Arctic ocean. He returned to 
this city on the 24th of last November. During this voyage 
he suffered much from illness. On reaching home he failed 
rapidly from a fatal disease of the heart. During the past few 
weeks his sufferings were intense ; his mind was unclouded to 
the last. His tender affection for his family — his wife and 
only child, a daughter of ten years — was unbounded, and his 
lingering thoughts were for their welfare. He passed quietly 
away. Two sisters survive him : Mrs. Chamberlin of Worces- 
ter, who was with him in his last hours, and Mrs. Brown of 
Berlin, Mass. 

BARNARD. 

Robert Barnard of Andover bought in 1723, of 
Jeremiah Barstow, son-in-law of Joseph Howe, 350 
acres, including most of the present centre of Hud- 
son, dwelling house, housings, corn mill, orcharding, 
fencing, etc. The purchase was bounded on several 
sides by "common land ;" the house was on the site 
of Col. Wood's residence. Mrs. Ephraim Babcock 
was of this Barnard family. Elizabeth Barnard, dau. 
of Robert, m. Paul Brigham of Marlboro, and was 
the mother of our Thomas Brigham, Sr. ; she m., 2d, 
Col. Silas Bailey; Robert m., 1729, Elizabeth Bailey, 
wid. of Benjamin, Sr. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 283, 

John Barnard, probably a grandson of Robert, had 
as., John, b. 1760: this John, Jr., m. the wid. of 
Lieut. Timothy Bailey, and had a dau., Sally, who 
m. Timothy Jones. Another s. of this first named 
John, named Josiah, was the father of Oliver and 
Lewis H. His wife was Kate Wilder of Lancaster, 
m. June 20, 1800. Had Oliver, b. July 3, 1805; 
Lewis H., b. March 28, 18 17. He d. Dec. 23, 1831 ; 
wid., Kate, d. Nov. 28, 1825. Josiah lived in the 
Centre at the corner house of the Clinton road in 
1808. 

Oliver Barnard, s. of Josiah, m. Mary Ball. Had 
Sarah H., b. July 5, 1830; Anna E., b. July 28, 1834; 
Lewis G., b. Aug. 23, 1836; Charles F., b. Oct. 27, 
1838; George H.,b. Oct. 5, 1830, d. 1832; Mary J., 
b. Oct. 17, 1 83 1, d. July 2, 1842. He d. Oct. 22, 
1840. The family moved to Westboro. 

Lcivis H. Barnard, bro. of Oliver, m. Hannah Carter, 
dau. of Luther. He lived in the Fuller house ; also' 
Josiah Moore's, in Carterville. Had Henry H. 
Lewis H. d. June 19, 1851 ; wife d. May 16, 185 1. 

Henry H. Barnard, s. of Lewis H., m. Lucy Hapgood,. 
dau. of Gilman Hapgood of Hudson. Has been 
largely engaged in the hotel business, was proprie- 
tor of the Mansion House, Greenfield, also had 
charge of the hotel at Lake Pleasant, Montague. Is 
now in California. 

Winsor Barnard, b. in Berlin Dec. 15, 1789' "i. 
Phebe Severy of Sutton. He settled in Boylston. 
Had eleven children, four of whom are now residents- 
of this town : Benajah, Mrs. E. H. Lawrence, Mrs„ 



.284 HISIOKV OF I'HE 

vS. E. Andrews and Mrs. Annise Lee, wid. of Albeit. 
:and before wid. of George Tracy. He d. Oct. 29, 
1861. 

Bciiajah Barnard, b. Nov. 15, 1817, s. of Winsor, 
m. Eliza A. Pratt of Sterling June 23, 1846. Came 
to Berlin 1891 ; lives in Carterville; was truckman in 
Worcester. Had George AV., b. Jan. 23, 1848, d. 
March 20, 1848; Hattie E., b. May 10, 1856, d. June 
29, 1873. 

HAKTLETT. 

All persons in this country named Bartlett are 
without doubt of Norman ancestry. There is a 
large estate at vStopham, Sussex, England, consisting 
of about 8,000 acres, which has been in possession 
of the Bartletts for hundreds of years. From junior 
members of this family came the first settlers on 
these American shores. The ancestral mansion was 
built in 1 309, and is of stone. Near it stands the 
old- Norman Church built in the 13th centur}-, 
and on the stone floor along the aisles of the church 
are marble slabs with inset figures of brass, showing 
a regular succession of Bartletts. The first of the 
family was Adam, an esquire and knight, and came 
into England with AVilliam the Conqueror. Both 
were granted lands. The origin of the name is un- 
known; being at such a remote period would vseem to 
prevent an intelligent supposition of its origin. 

Jcviatlian Bartlett of Northboro, s. of Daniel and 
grandson of Henry of Marlboro, was the ancestor of 
the Bartletts of our town. He was b. Jan. 26, 1725. 
His wife was Marv . They had, besides 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



-^85- 



other children, Adam, b. July 27, 17 54, who became- 
the head of the Berlin families and was a soldier m 
the war of the Revolution. 

Adam Barilctt, s. of Jonathan of Northboro, 
m May 28, 1792, Persis, dau. of Jonas Babcock 
of" Northboro. He lived at first on the Joseph 
Priest place in 1790. In 1804 he bought the 
judge Samuel Baker farm (the stone house), where 
he lived the remainder of his life. Had Seraph, b. 
Oct 8 1792, m. Rufus Sawyer; Harriet, b. Jan. 21, 
1794 d 1847, unm. ; John, b. March 4, 1796; Daniel, 
b \ov u, 1797: Levi, b. Aug. i, 1799; Persis, b. 
Auo- 1801, m., Oct. 28, 1830, Parker Howe of Boyl- 
ston' Miriam, b. Nov. 26, 1804, m., April 19, 1831, 
lotham Holt of Trov, N. H. ; Mary, b. Jan. 10, 1806, 
m April 1 5. 1834, Lewis H. Johnson; Jonathan, b.. 
^uo 7 18 10, res., Charlestown; William, b. 
March 13, 181 3, m., 1838, Hannah, dau. of Wil- 
liam Ball of Bolton, res.. West Troy, N. \ . ; 
enlisted past age with his three sons m the 
..rmy He d. on return after two years' service m 
1864. Adam d. July 22, 1828. Persis, wid., d. June 
iS, 1 86 1, at 88. Persis Howe d. Oct. 18, 1880. 

John Bartlctt, s. of Adam, m. ^lary, dau. of Daniel 
Carter April 19,1821. He settled on the place now 
owned bv Mr. Carville; later removed to Carterville 
m the house latelv of Albert Babcock; was a stone 
mason; he was killed by being thrown from a wagon 
while descending a hill west of George H. Barnes 
Tulv 6, 1864. Mary, wid., d. Jan. 5, 1878. Had 
AmorvAdam, b. April 17, 1822 ; John F., b. April 
18. 18^30, m. Asenath, dau. of Daniel Barnes, res.,, 
Bovlston. He d. 1895. 



12 86 HISTORY OF THE 

Daniel Bartlctt, s. of Adam, m. Zilpah, dau. of 
Sanderson Carter, Nov. 21, 18 19. Resettled on the 
place now owned by Silas Mills. Had Zilpah M., b. 

, m. Hartwell Sawyer. Daniel, d. April 10, 

1869. Zilpah, wid., d. July 11, 1882. 

Levi Bart Ictt, s. of Adam, m., 1842, Betsey, wid. of 
Peter Babcock, res., the stone house. Her children 
by Peter were : Wheeler and Hephzibah. vShe d. Feb. 
17, 1854; hed. Aug. 22, 1875. Hephzibah, m. Thayer 
Hastings of Hudson, where they reside. 

JonatJian Bartlctt,'' Adam^ Jonathan' m. Mary E. 
Seaward Apr. 24, 1834. Six children born, one now 
living — Susan E. of Charlestown. Held office in 
Charlestown Artillery from 1844 to 185 1 inclusive, 
last two years being captain. When about 1 6 years 
of age, 1826, joined Bolton Rifles, doing military 
duty till 1 85 1. Also was one of three men to fire 
first salute from top of Bunker Hill monument, con- 
cussion being so great as to deprive him of his 
hearing, and from that time being quite deaf 
through life. He d. Mar., 1890; wife d. July, 1887. 

Auwry Adam Bart left, s. of John, m. Sarah Jane, 
dau. of Ira Sawyer, res. in Berlin Centre, house west of 
the Orthodox Church ; was a shoe manufacturer ; is 
now largely engaged in care of the sick. Wife, vSarah 
Jane, d. Oct. 6, 1 887. Had Charles A., b. April 9, 1 846, 
res., Detroit, Mich.; Lewis M., b. March 31, 1857, d. 
July 1 1, 1859; Lester M., b. Aug. 4, i860, m.. May 
I, 1889, Nettie Louise, dau. of Langdon P. Spooner 
of Natick ; he is a musician; res., Boston. 

John Francis Bartlett, s. of John, m. Asenath M. 
Barnes, dau. of Daniel, Nov. 9, 1859; res., Boylston; 




A. A. BARTLETT. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 287 

occupation, a farmer. Had Frank, b. Sept. 13, i860, 
m. Bertha A. Burnham ; Julia A., b. July 18, 1865, 
m. Charles E. Cutter; Solon, b. April 13, 1867, 
graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute 
1889, became a teacher at Lawranceville Academy, 
N. J., d. there Feb. 25, 1891 ; John Forrest, b. Apr. 
12, 1869, graduated at the aforenamed institute, 
1892, now holds a position in the patent office at 
Washington, D. C; Nancie B., b. Aug. 29, 1871, 
is a trained nurse ; Welcome, b. Aug. 18, 1874, a 
farmer ; Chester A., b. Sept 2"] , 1880. Four children 
d. in infancy. John Francis d. Feb., 1895. 

Wiliiaui Bartlctt, from Alstead, N. H., m. Betsey 
Ball of Bolton ; he settled in the northwest part of 
the town, near the Bolton station, the place lately 
occupied by his son-in-law, Samuel J. Moore. Had 
Elizabeth, m. S. J. Moore; Jonathan, m. Sarah 
Bowers; William, b. 1820, d. unm., Oct. 9, 1850. 
W^ife, Betsey, d. He m., Aug. 9, 1828, Sally B. 
Lyndes of Boston. Had by Sally, Henry W., b. 
May 25, 1829; Salucia A., b. May 13, 1831, m. David 
Florence; she d. June 2, 1857; George A., b. July 2. 
1835, m. Mary Hoffman, m., 2d, Leora Parmenter; 
vSarah M., b. March 17, 1839, m. George Seaver; he 
d., she m., 2d, Oliver P. Wlieeler; Joseph F., b. Oct. 
8, 1842, a jeweler in Clinton, m. Julia Ladd; Ezra 
K., b. July 30, 1845, was a soldier in the late war, 
d. Oct. 10, 1864, at Indianapolis, Ind. ; Lewis W., b. 
June 21, 185 I, m. Jenny Harris, and lives in Holden. 
William Bartlett, d. Jan. 4, 1874. at 80; wife, vSarah. 
d. vSept. 13, 1863; death of Betsey not on 
record. 



HISTORY OP^ THE 



BARTER. 



Kn'. Jauii's IV. Barter, b. Aug. 30, 1858, from St. 
George, Me., 111. Carrie L, Gleason of Heath, Mass., 
Aug. 30, 1883 ; educated at Kemp's Hill Academy; 
ordained minister in Methodist Church 1887; came 
to town 1889. Had Maud A., b. Aug. 28, 1885; 
Lila May, b. May 5, 1890, d. April 22, 1891 ; Clifford 
H., b. Dec. II, 1891 ; Marion S., Sept. 12, 1893. 

BASSETT. 

Daniel Basse//, the father of the two families of the 
name here, was a s. of William of Uxbridge and a 
descendant of William Bassett, who settled in Lynn 
about 1640. Daniel was b. in Uxbridge Dec. 19, 
1784; removed with his father to Richmond, N. H., 
when he was nine years old ; was a tanner and currier 
and carried on that business about thirty years ; had 
three sons who grew up and had families, viz.: 
Elisha, b. March 11, 181 1; Ahaz, b. Oct. 26, 181 2; 
William, b. Oct. 5, 18 19. He with his wife, vSusanna, 
came to Berlin in 1856 and lived with his s., Elisha; 
he d. Sept. 18, 1861, at yy yrs. ; she d. Feb. 8, 1862, 
aged 75 ; they were members of the Society of Friends. 

ElisJia Basse//, s. of Daniel, came from Richmond, 
N. H., and settled on the Dea. Job Spofford farm May, 
1856; m., ist, Olive B. Stewart 1843, who d. March 
18, 1845; m., 2d, Mrs. Maria L. Howland, dau. of 
Job Whitcomb of vSwanzey, N. H., Nov. 27, 1847; 
she had by former husband, Ellen M. Howland, who 
m. George E. Maynard. He had by Olive B. one 
child, Olive S., b. March 7, 1845; by Maria L., had 
Daniel H., b. July 9, 1849; Pliny E., b. May 29, 




DANIEL H. BASSETT. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 289 

1853, and Anna S., b. in Berlin June 28, 1856, m, 
James D. Tyler. 

William Basset t, s. of Daniel, m. Patience, dau. of 
Moses Tyler of Richmond, N. H., Dec. 13, 1846; 
carried on the tanning and currying business there 
until 1852, when he removed to Worcester, where 
he was engaged in trade until he removed to Berlin 
in 1857; he bought the Col. Joseph Parks place and 
lived there twenty-eight years ; removed to Carter- 
ville in 1885 on the place where A. Barnard now 
lives, and in 1891 took up his res. in the house built 
by Rev. Henry Adams in the Centre. Wife, 
Patience, d. June 13, 1880, aged 60 yrs. Had by 
her, Mary A., b. July 21, 1848; Laura E., b. Sept. i, 
1850, d. Nov. 10, 1852; Julia Ida, b. Oct. 26, 1854, 
m. Charles M. vSawyer; Florence M., b. April i, 1858 ; 
Helen E., b. Feb. 17, i860, m. Edward F. Fletcher 
of Worcester, d. Dec. 16, 1894. 

Daniel H. Bassctt, s. of Elisha, m. Susan E., dau. 
of Winslow B. Morse, May i, 1883 ; he remained on 
the homestead with his father, but d. in early man- 
hood Jan. 19, 1886, Had by wSusan E., Eugenia L., 
b. Dec. 12, 1883; Fred EHsha, b. April 9, 1885. 

Pliny E. Bassett, s. of Elisha, m. Helen Morse of 
Framingham ; has been engaged in the shoe busi- 
ness ; was clerk for Boyd & Corey a number of years, 
and later manufactured shoes in Brockton, where he 
now res. ; no children. 

BENNETT. 

JoJin F. Bcntiett, b. May 7, 1829, s. of Simeon and 
grandson of Asa Bennett of Boylston. Asa was a 
large land owner at one time in the vicinity of Saw- 
20 



290 HISTORY OF THE 

yer's mills; Asa was of one branch of the Lancaster 
Bennetts and a son of Josiali; John F. came here 
in 1854, and has worked in various shoe shops; he 
lives in a house in the Centre, fronting- the Common, 
opposite the iSIethodist Church ; m. Caroline L. 
Lovell May 5, 1858; she was b. June 14, 1835. 
Had Alfaretta F., b. March 27, 1861 ; Carolyn L., b. 
Oct. 6, 1867, m. David C. Hastings Nov. 19, 1890. 
AVife, Caroline, d. Nov. 15, 1891. 

i;exwav. 

John Bcincay, a native of Canada, b. April i, 1861, 
lives in the east part at the Four Corners, near the 
George Brigham place. Had George, Henry and 
Mary, ages respectively 5, 3, 2. 

BERRV. 

Thovias C. Berry, b. 1835; came from Poland, Me., 
1852; m. Alvina vS., dau. of William W. Wheeler, 
May 16, i860, res. on Wheeler hill, in house built by 
John Wheeler ; is a shoemaker arid farmer. Had L. 
Ada., b. Jan. 16, 1861 ; Lulu Ann, twin sister, d. Jan. 
17, 1861; Lester E., b. Jan. 15, 1863; Adelia L., b. 
Dec. I, 1870; Cora A., b. July 7, 1879. 

BICKFORI). 

John C. Bickford, s. of Richard of Alton, N. H., b. 
Aug. 17, 1836. m. vSarah M., dau. of Adrian Hebard 
of Sturbridge, Jan. 16, 1865; came to town in 1868; 
belonged to the firm of Bickford, Klenart & Co. ; was 
foreman with the Parkers till the shop was burned in 
1882 ; since has been in business in Worcester; res.. 




JOHN C. BICKFORD. 



TOWX OF BERLIN. 29 1 

still here ; was representative to the General Court 
in 1875. Had Ernest A., b. Nov. 23, 1872; m. 
Alice B. Grossman June 5, 1895. Wife, Sarah M., 
d. Feb. 2, 1890. 

Charles J. Bickford, bro. of the above, b. Nov. 24, 
1838, m. Jennie Blake of Marlboro. Had Lillian F., 
b. Feb. 20, 1871 ; Charles J., b. June i, 1872; Harry 
A., b. July 12, 1874; Herbert F., b. July 28, 1875. 
He d. Julv, 1892 ; he was a soldier in the late war, of 
Co. F, 7th N. H. ; was six months in Libby and 
Andersonville prisons; went in with 114 men; came 
out with fourteen. They were divorced ; he m. 
ai^^ain, and lived in Worcester at the time of his 
death. She m., 2d, Abel Howe of Marlboro. 

BIGELOW. 

Most of the Bigelow name who have resided here 
were descendants of John Bigelow, who settled in 
Marlboro about 1695, whose wife was Jeru.sha Gar- 
field of that town, m. June 12, 1696, and was grand- 
son of the John Bigelow who settled in Watertown 
about 1640. He was the John Bigelow who was 
taken captive by the Indians at Lancaster, together 
with Thomas and Elias vSawyer, and conveyed to 
Canada in 1705. (For particulars of this captivity 
see Thomas Sawyer.) 

Christopher Banister Bigchnv*, Ivory', Gershom', 
John', of Marlboro, m. Rhoda, dau. of Joseph Gleason 
of Marlboro. He settled on a farm in the east part 
of Berlin, near the Moses Dudley place; the build- 
ings are now mostly gone. He d. April 7, 1830, 
aged 65 ; she d. Aug. 7, 1850, aged 84. Had Betsey, 
b. Jan. 21, 1786; Lucy, b. March 10, 1788, m. Luther 



292 HISTORY OF THE 

Carter; Sarah, b. Feb. 12, 1791, m. Thomas Sawver; 
Mary, b. July 26, 1794, m. Ephraim Goddard, cL 
1 816; Aaron, b. April 29, 1796; Sophia, b. April 5, 
1798, m. Ephraim Goddard; Francis, b. Alarch 24, 
1800; Persis, b. ]\Iarch 22, 1802, m. Ira Hapgood of 
Marlboro; Joel, b. Feb. 26, 1804; Abram, b. June 
8, 1806; Ira, b. May 22, 1808; Horace, b. Nov. 29, 
1810. 

Boijaviiii Bigcloii\ bro. of Christopher Banister, 
lived on the Moses Dudley place; d. in 1829. 

Abram Bigcloic'', Christopher B\, Ivory", Ger- 
shom", John', m. Eliza, dau. of Jonas Sawyer, s. of 
Silas, Jan. 24, 1830; he lived on Sawyer hill on the 
place now owned and occupied by Jonas Sawver 
until about i860, when he removed to Northboro 
with his s., Jonas wS., with whom he and his wnfe 
lived some years; they now res. with s., Franklin E. 
Had Mary Eusebia, b. March 10, 1831, d. May 7, 
1834; Jonas S., b. Dec. 26, 1833; Franklin E., b. 
Feb. 29, 1836; Joseph Abraham, b. Nov. 13, 1838, 
d. Aug. 13, 1863. 

Jonas S. Bigcloiu\ Abram", Christopher B.,' Ivory", 
Gershom', John", m. Cleora M., dau. of Joseph P'lagg, 
res. near Wood's factory in Northboro. 

Franklin E. Bigclow\ Abram', Christopher B\, 
Ivory", Gershom", John\ m. Lucilla A. Loomis vSept, 
15, 1859, 3. sister to Mrs. Edward Flagg; removed to 
Northboro, where he still res. ,Wife d. June 7, 
1874, aged 32, and also child Nellie d. in 1870, six 
mos. old. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 293 

Horace Bigclinv\ Christopher B\, Ivory", Gershom', 
John', m. Almina, dau. of Rufus Sawyer, Oct. 5, 
1834; he lived near the Centre school-house on the 
Boylston road ; was a cooper by trade. Had Lucinda, 
b. Oct. 29, 1 84 1, m. wSamuel vStratton of Grafton; 
Edwin J., b. Dec. 8, 1844, was three years in the 
army, was killed in front of Petersburg April 2, 1865 ; 
Eleanor S., b. June 10, 1850, m. Nelson Bruso and had 
one child, Edwin Bigelow; Eleanor, d. Jan. 7, 1873. 
Horace d. Nov. 30, 1888; Almina d. Apr. 25, 1890. 

Elijah Bigclozv, m. Sarah, dau. of Amorv Carter, 
and wid. of Jonas Hale ; he formerly lived on the 
place now owned by Alonzo F. Green ; was a shoe- 
maker and farmer. vShe d. June 24, 1885. 

Augustus Bigi'lcn^', with wife from Worcester, were 
on the Sanderson Carter place in 1790- 1800; he was 
s. of Judge Baker's 2d wife and of no known connec- 
tion with the Marlboro Bigelows. Had Mary, vSalh', 
Augusti:s, Job and James ; no other record. 

Augustus Bigcloic, Jr., m. Hannah, dau. of Samuel 
vSpofford (s. of Job), Alarch i, 1798; she d. and he 
m., 2d, Lydia Bride. Had by Hannah seven children. 
What became of the familv does not appear. 

Levi Bigiiozv, Jr., Esq., s. of Levi Bigelow, Esq., of 
Marlboro, whose pedigree runs back through Ger- 
shom, Ivory and Gershom, to John Bigelow of 
Marlboro, of Indian captivity fame, m. Abigail, 
dau. of Ephraim Hastings, Feb. 4, 1846; he bought 
the Dea. Job Spofford farm, the place now owned by 
Elisha Bassett; removed to Marlboro in 1856, and 
there d. May 5, 1879, aged 58. Wife d. May i. 



2 94 HISI\)RV OF IHF. 

1873. He was a surveyor and convevancer, and did 
much public and private business in both of the 
towns in which he lived ; was buried in the South 
cemetery in the lot with Capt. C. S. Hastings. Had 
Martha A., b. Nov. 15, 1846, d. Jan. 6, 1871 ; Han- 
nah E., b. Sept., 1848; Francis A., b. , 1850, d. 

Sept. 25, 1869; Levi L., b, Dec. 4, 1852, d. in in- 
fancy. The above-named Hannah E., the onlv sur- 
viving member of the familv, is a practicing phvsician 
in Marlboro, whose medical education was completed 
in foreign countries. vShe has very generously given 
this town $500 in trust for the purpose of keeping 
the vSouth cemetery in order. 

BLISS. 

The father of the Blisses who have lived here was 
Gideon Bliss, who m. ^Mary Woodworth of Wilbra- 
ham in 1790. Had twelve children, viz.: Roswell, 
b. ]Slarch i 5, 1791 ; Mary and Betsey (twins), Betsey m. 
Levi Wheeler, Jr. ; Chloe ; Austin ; Gideon ; Sylvester; 
Catherine, b. Feb. 12, 1802, m. Samuel M. Fuller, 
then of Ludlow ; James ; Willard ; Lewis T. ; Henry 
Harrison, b. Aug. 12, 181 3. Gideon, vSr., d. here 

, aged 81 yrs. ; Mary, wid., d. in 1856, aged 

86 yrs. 

Roswell Bliss, s. of Gideon, m., Oct, 27, 181 5, 
Matilda, dau. of Israel Chase of Worcester, and sister 
of Anthon}- Chase of Worcester, treasurer of Worces- 
ter county for many years ; he lived in the north part 
of the town on the place now owned by Francis 
Dewey. Had Lyman C, b. July 5, 18 16, d. Oct. 14, 
1873; Minerva F., b. Sept. 10, 1818, m., Sept. 10, 
1846, William Chadwick; he d. May i, 1850; she d. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 295 

Sept 13, 1856; Edward F., b. July 4, 1821; Mary 
W b. Tuly 3, 1823, m., April 19, 1846, Otis Kendall 
of Framingham, d. March 20, 1857; Jesse E., b. Dec. 
^ 18-5 • Matilda C, b. Nov. 22, 1827; Lydia E., b. 
April 19, 1832, d. Feb. 21, 1857- He died April 30, 
1869, aged 78 yrs.; Matilda, wid., d. July 15, 1872, 
aged 76 yrs. 

Jesse E. Bliss\ Rosweir, m. Lucinda M., dau. of 
George ^laynard, May 3, i849. res. in east part, near 
Hudson. 

Echcard Bliss, s. of Austin and grands, of Gideon, 
m Zilpah H., dau. of Amory Sawyer; he lived on the 
place now occupied by his wid. and son-in-law, Oliver 
C Rice. Had Marie A., b. June 18, 1846, d. Oct. 7, 
1851; Martha Augusta, b. Dec. 9, i849. m- O^^^er 
C Rice; Amorv E., b. Nov. 12, 1855, d. March 2, 
1 867. Edward d. Jan. 7,1871; wid. m. Nathan Rice. 
Hcnrv H. Bliss, s. of Gideon, m. Lucy M., dau. of 
Amor^Sawver, Sept. 27, 1840; came to his present 
place of res. in 1848, a place previously occupied by 
Rev David R. Lamson; occupation shoemaker and 
farmer. Had Charles H., b. Aug. 16, 1841. Wife, 
Lucy, d. June 19, 1885. 

Charles H. Bliss, s. of Henry H., m., Sept. 28, i860, 
Martha A., dau. of William Staples of Maine; he is 
a shoemaker and lives on his father's place. Had 
Lucy E., b. March 14, 1861, m. Frank E. Gammon,, 
res "^ Portland, Me.; Mary G., b. Jan. 4, 1863, m. 
Arthur F. Sawyer of Bolton, res., Clinton; Maud E., 
b April 2, 1 87 1, m. Frederick G. Bliss, res., Norwich, 
Conn.; Helen A. and Helena A. (twins), b. July i9> 
1875. 



296 HIS'lOKV OF THE 

BOVCE. 

Jacob Boycc, s. of vSilas of Richmond, N. H., b. June 
27, 1807, m., April 9, 1829, Olive, dan. of Russell 
Ballon; she d. Oct. 8, 1843; m., 2d, VilroyA., dan. of 
Job Whitcomb of vSwanzey, N. H., April 4, 1844; he 
was engaged in farming and in the shook business 
in Richmond until 1853, when he removed to Troy, 
N. H. ; came to Berlin 1871 and settled in the south 
part. Wife, Vilroy, d. Oct. 29, 1*883; he d. Jan. 29, 
1892. Had by Olive, Francis R., b. May 26, 1831, 
res. in Keene, N. H., and is the father of Mrs. Arthur 
Hastings. Had by Vilroy, Anna O., b. July 23, 
1848; Charles E.,b. June 22, 1852. 

Charles E. Boycc, s, of Jacob, m., Julv 4, 1877, 
Alfreda, dan. of Ahaz Bassett of Hudson, who is a 
veterinary surgeon and brother to Elisha and Wil- 
liam Bassett; he lives in the south part, where 
Samuel Hastings formerly lived ; he is a dealer in 
carriages, robes and harnesses. 

BOWMAN. 

Shnco)i Btnv]na)i, s. of James and Mary (Gashet) 
Bowman of Westboro, b. March 3, 1772, m. Betsey 
Bartlett, sister to Adam Bartlett, Aug. 21,1 797 ; he 
was a blacksmith ; he bought of Cotton Newton the 
blacksmith stand and house in 1798 on the place 
now owned and occupied by Rufus R. Wheeler. 
Had Hollowa3% b. May 30, 1799, d. young; Simeon, 
b, March 18, 1801; Betsey, b. April ly, 1803, m. 
Josiah Babcock; Jonathan, b. July 28, 1805, res., 
Bolton; Mary, b. 1807, m. Abel Farwell. Wife, 
Betsey, d. June 4, 1822. Hem., 2d, Persis Gibson 




"^i^ttm:. ■•- .;. ,a._^.Wi:fi?> 



WILLIAM BASSETT PLACE. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 297 

■of Hopkinton. Had Persis, b. 1825 ; Martha, b. 1827. 
Wife, Persis, d. April 9, 1833. He m., 3d, Mrs. 
Phebe Temple ; he d. Nov. 23, 1845. 

SiJiicon Bcnvjiian, Jr.^ m. Hannah, b. Jan. 7, 1804, 
dau. of Amherst Bailey, res., vSouth Lancaster and 
Clinton. He d. Aug., 1856; wife d. March i. 1889, 
at 85. Had Charles, the hardware dealer in Clinton. 

BRUCE. 

Daniel Bruce' m. Bathsheba Bowker Dec. i, 1732; 
he was s. of Roger and grands, of John of Sudbury ; 

he d. 1775. Had Ruth, b. May 22, 1733- m- 

Gates; his dau., Hannah, m. Solomon Jones, father 
of Peltiah; Abraham, b. Dec. 23, 1735- was in the 
expedition against Crown Point in 1755, and was 
killed in the fall of Quebec in 1 759 : Lucy, b. Nov. 6, 
1737, d. Mav 8, 1832, unm., at 95 yrs. ; Benjamin, b. 
Dec. 24, 1739; John, b. May 9. I744, our centena- 
rian; Bettv,b. Jan. 22, 1746. m. John Brown; Mary, 
b. Aug. 9.' 1748, m. Nathan Jones; Daniel, b. Sept. 

21, 1752. 

Benjamin Bnicc\ Daniel', m. Nancy, dau. of Alex- 
ander ^IcBride, otherwise Naomi or Agnes; he was 
a cooper; was in the old French and Indian war in 
I7S7 and was aminute man in 1775 and was at the 
surrender of Burgoyne in 1777; ^e settled near his 
father on the George Maynard place. Had Mary, b. 
April 29, 1769, m. Jonathan Baker; Katy, b. March 
6 1771; Otis, b. April 17, 1773: Calvin, b. May 2, 
1775; Anna, b. Sept. 6, i777, d- ^"^^i. ; William, b. 
1780- Oliver, b. Mav 6, 1782; Franklin, b. June 21, 
1784 res Vermont; Amos, b. Oct. 16, 1786. Nancy, 



298 HISTORY OF THE 

his wid., was burned to death while alone on a vSun- 
day, Nov., 1824. 

Calvin Bntcc\ Benjamin', Daniel', m. Ruth Priest, 
niece of Holman Priest, res., Berlin and Northboro. 
Both d. here; he d. Nov. 30, 1857. 

John Bnicc\ Daniel', m. ]\Iartha Moore Feb. 8, 
1770; he settled on the place now owned bv his 
grandson, George H. Bruce; he was at the battle of 
Lexington in 1775. Had Hugh, b. Aug. 5, 1770; 
Dorcas, b. April 25, 1772, m. John Brewer Feb. i, 

1810, d. 1852; Nancy, b. June 30, 1774, d. ; 

Asenath, b. April 16, 1776, m. Luther Priest; Anna^ 
b. Sept. 6, 1777; Eunice, b. 1779, m. Asa, s. of Wil- 
liam Sawyer, June 19, 1800, res., Ohio; John, Jr., b,. 

May 15, 1781 ; Nancy, b. 1783, m. Lawrence, 

res., Vermont; Parnell, b. May 30, 1788, m. Josiah 
Bennett; m., 2d, Solomon Greene; had Josiah, now 
of Marlboro, by first husband; Sewell, b. July 15, 
1790; Sylvanus, b. Dec. 15, 1792; Sophia, b. April 
10, 1795, d. in 1884. He d. Feb. 13, 1843, at the age 
of 99 yrs. 9 mos. 15 days; was the oldest of any per- 
son who has lived in town ; his death was caused by 
a fall ; had prospects before of some years ; his wife d. 
Oct. 27, 1835, at 85. 

Daniel Brucc\ Daniel', m. Mary Bruce, dau. of Timo- 
thy Bruce, Sr., res. in Berlin and ALarlboro. This 
Timothy's wife was Susanna Joslin; she d. in 1832 

at 99 yrs., res., Marlboro. Had Abraham, b. ; 

Lydia, b. , m., June 23, 1816, Timothy Austin 

of Marlboro, res., Vermont; Linda Mira, b. in 1798, 
m. David Keyes; Lois, b. Oct. 30, 1802, m. Ziba 
Keyes ; Sally, m. James Rich, Jr. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



!99 



Hugh Brucc\ John', Daniel,' m. Sally, dau. of Jacob 
Moore, May 25, 1796. He was our marketman ; 
lived on the Chandler Carter place, old house. Had 
Chandler, b. Nov. 9, 1797; Roxana, b. Feb. 23, 1800, 
d. Aug-. 7, 1804: Louise, b. Jan. 12, 1802; Levi, b. 
March 7, 1806, res., Clinton, unni. ; Ira, b. Jan. 23, 
1808, d. Aug. 4, 1876, res., Neponset, was buried 
here; Ezra T., b. Jan. 18, 181 1 ; Sarah Ann, b. Aug. 
6, 181 3; John, b. Xov. 20, 18 16. Hugh d, in Boston 
Sept. 14, 1821 ; wife d. May 10, 1840. 

John Bruce, Jr'., John", Daniel', m. Prudence Priest. 
Had Eusebia, b. Dec. 29, 1 806, m. William Jones ; 
Persis, b. Oct. 11, 1808, d. in 1872 ; Olive M., b. April 

4, 1 8 10, m. William Farnsworth ; Silas, b. Dec. 11, 

181 1, d. in 1880; Ira, b. ^larch 30, 18 14, m. , 

res.. West Boylston ; Zilpah, b. March 11, 1815, m. 
Merrick Holt, m., 2d, Knowlton, m., 3d, White. 

Scii'dl Bruce', John", Daniel', m., Nov. 8, 18 12, 
Eunice Bennett, b. March 30, 1786, dau. of Ephraim 
and Priscilla Wellington. He d. Nov. 3, 1846; she 
d. Feb. II, 1873. Had Martha ]\I., b. ]\Iay 24, 1813, 
m. Anthony S. Starkey, d. July 7, 1850; Roxana, b. 
Dec. 9, 18 1 5, m. Ebenezer S. Sawtell; Joanna, b. Dec. 
II, 18 1 8, m. William H. Horton ; Lorenzo, b. June 

5, 1820; Horatio, b. June 23, 1822, res., Hudson; 
Simeon, b. Feb. 6, 1824, res., Worcester; Philo, b. 
May I, 1826; Phidelia, b. Sept. 21, 1830, d. in 1832. 

Sylvaiuis Bruce , John', Daniel', m. Hannah Read, 
b. in Providence, R. I., 1798; he was a cooper and 
farmer and retained the homestead ; built the house 
now standing thereon. Had Christiania R., b. Feb. 
23, 1824, m. vSamuel ^lason of Boston; Lyman, b. 



300 HISTORY OF THE 

June 31, 1826, d. Aug. 7, 1843; Hannah, b. Nov. 19, 
1827, d. March 23, 1834; Leverett W., b. May 11, 
1830, d. April I, 1834; Lewis B., b. May i, 1833, d. 
July 5, 1853; Leverett W., b. April 21, 1835, d. May 
9, 1886; Willard G., b. Oct. 19, 1839; George H., b. 
Aug. 7, 1837. wSylvanus d. July 30, 1879, ^^ ^6 ; 
wife, Hannah, d. May 22, 1880, at 82. 

Lorenzo Br2icc\ Sewell', John', Daniel', m. Mary, 
dau. of Silas Coolidge, April 19, 1841 ; m., 2d, Nov. 
24, 1870, Mary Adeline, wid. of Moses A. Coolidge 
and dau. of ]Manasseh Ball; he lives in West Berlin 
on the Daniel Carter place. Had by first wife, John 
L., b. May 23, 1843; Charles A., b. in 1847, ^- iii 
1849; ^iary R., b, Dec. 9, 1845, m. Charles Carr Nov. 
13, 1880. 

PJiilo Brucc\ Seweir\ John"', Daniel', m. Sarah A. 
Muzzey of Needham Sept., 1846; shed. May i, 1861. 
He m., 2d, Lavina S., dau. of Ariel K. Fletcher, 
Dec. 21, 1862. He lives in the west part on the 
Ephraim Howe, Jr., place. Had. by vSarah, Edgar 
O., b. ]\Iay 21, 1847, d. Aug. 3, 1851 ; Frances Eldora, 
b. July 31, 1849, d. July 26, 1851; George L., b, 
Jan. 17, 1 85 1, res., California; Edgar M., b. Oct. 30, 
1853, res., Leominster; Anna C, b. vSept. 27, 1855, 
m. Fred F. Boyden of Leominster; Clarence O., b. 
July 19, 1857, res., Nashua, N. H. ; W. Oscar, b. Jan. 
27, i860, d. Sept. 24, same year. Had by Lavina, 
ArolineE.,b. Sept. 12, 1863, m. Joseph H. Walker; 
Viola, b. May 3, 1865, m. Frank Powers of Leomin- 
ster; Eunice, b. July 10, 1869, m. Oliver D. Derby 
Nov. 29, 1891 ; Estella E., b. Dec. 20, 1871 ; Fred- 
erick H., b. Nov. 2, 1877. 




GEORGE H. BRUCE'S HOUSE. 




SAMUEL WHEELER'S HOUSE. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



Lcvcrctt IV. Briicc\ Sylvanus', John', Daniel', m. 
of Vienna, Me., Jan. 12, 1874; she d. in New 



York city; he m., 2d, Emma ; was a 

shoe manufacturer, res., Rochester, N. Y. Had 
Abbie MoUie, b. Jan. 19, 1876; Pearl, b. Feb. 21, 
1881; Percy L., b. Jan. 31, 1883. Leverett d. in 
Sharpsville, Pa., May 9, 1886. 

Willard G. Brucc\ Sylvanus', John', Daniel', m. 
Mrs. Rachel (Holder) Frv', dau. of Joseph Holder, 
Sept. 23, 1867, res. on Sawyer hill, the place settled 
by Dea. Josiah Sawyer. 

George H. Bniee\ Sylvanus', John", Daniel', m. 
i\ugusta Goddard, dau. of Ephraim, Oct. 4, 1862; he 
retains the old Bruce homestead of his grandfather. 
Had Delia G., b. Sept. 2, 1864, m. I. Porter Morse 
Oct. 14, 1890; Harry M., b. July 9, 1881, d. July 9, 
1 88 1. Wife, Augusta, d. Feb. 20, 1885. 

John L. Bniee, s. of Lorenzo, m. ISlary Ann, dau. of 
Isaac S. Stone. He lived some years in West Berlin 
on the Hartwell place; is now an officer in the Re- 
formatory prison at Concord; was a soldier in the 
late war ; by trade, a shoemaker. 

TiniotJiy Briiee, from another branch of the Bruce 
family, m. in 1762 Susannah Joslin, who d. in 1832, 
aged 99 years ; he lived on the left of the ^larlboro- 
road, below Ira Brown's. Had Benjamin, Timothy,, 
and Sally, who m. Fortunatus Howe. 

Timothy Bruee, Jr., m. Matilda Wheeler April 9,. 
1781. Had Abel, Timothy, Samuel, Eliza, Susan, 
Nancy, Carrie, Sophia, Achsah, Rebecca, who m.. 
Luther Pollard in 1 806. 



302 HISTORY OF THE 

BRIDE OR MACBRIDE. 

Alcxaiidcr Mac Bride was the ancestor of the Bride 
f amih' of this town. The Mac was dropped by some of 
his descendants as superfluous, and most of the family 
have retained only Bride. He came from Ireland in the 
•earl)^ part of last century. His wife's name was Mary. 
He settled on the farm recently owned by Florence 
McCarty and now owned by Arthur L. Brewer ; 
he built the lower part of the house now standing 
therein 1748. The original house stood northeast 
of the present. They came to Charlestown first and 
afterwards removed here. He d. Sept., 1779; no 
record of his wife's death. He was a stone mason or 
chimney builder. They were original members of 
the Berlin church. Had John, b. 1727; Thomas, b. 

1739; Thomas, b. 1741 ; James, b. ; Agnes, 

b. 1744, took the name of Nancv, m. Benjamin 
Bruce. The Lancaster records give the names of 
Alexander and Mary, both d. young. 

Thomas Bride'' , Alexander', m. Sarah Snow April 19, 
1769. He settled first east of Josiah Sawyer's on 
the Fosgate land ; later on the present L. W. Brewer 
place ; he was a soldier in the old French and Indian 
war; was in the expedition against Fort William 
Henry in 1757, and again, in 1759, he was at the 
fall of Quebec, and during the early part of the 
Revolutionary war when the armv was near Boston, 
he went weekly to Boston with supplies for the Berlin 
soldiers. Our non-combatant Quakers were generous 
in furnishing "aid and comfort." He d. about 1793. 
Had William, b. 1769, m. Susan Bailey, settled in 
New York; Prudence, b. 1 77 1, m. in 1791 Rufus 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 303 

Whitcomb of Bolton; Gardner, b. 1775, m. in 1796 
Abigail, dau. of John Hastings of Bolton; John, 
bap. here in 1787, m. and settled on the present 
place of Truman P. Felton, but moved to New York ; 
Ruth, bap. in 1 790, m. Luther Moore of Bolton ; 
another dau. m. Farmer, record incomplete. 

Javics Bride", Alexander', m. Lydia, dau. of Josiah 
Wilson, Dec. 8, 1763. Hence our names of Wilson 
and Josiah Wilson Bride. He lived awhile adjoin- 
ing Joel Fosgate's, between Gates' pond and our 
Hudson road ; he retained the homestead of his father ; 
he was with his brother Thomas in the expedition 
against Fort William Henry in 1757. He d. 1806. 
Had Josiah, b. Sept. 19, 1764; Catherine, b. Feb. 15, 
1766, m, vStephen Phelps of Marlboro; Achsah, b. 
Nov. 26, 1767, m. Henry Temple of Northboro; Abi- 
gail, b. March 31, 1769, m. Stanton Carter, Jr., res., 
Maine; Asa, b. Feb. 8, 1771; Hannah, b. Nov. 25, 
1772, m. Henr}" Brigham of Northboro; Amos, d. 
3-oung; Lydia, b. Sept. 22, .1776. 

Josiah Bridc-\ James", Alexander', m. Lydia, dau. of 
Noah Howe of Marlboro July 22, 1788; m., 2d, 
Susan Eager of Northboro in 1831. Had Wilson, 
b. 1 79 1 ; Calvin, b. 1792; Lydia. b. Nov. 5, 1798, d. 
Nov. 3, 1857, m. Augustus Bigelow; Amos, b. Oct. 
31, 1800; James, b. 1797, d. 1823; Josiah, b. 1802; 
Lucinda, b. July 13, 1808, d. Aug. 6, 1872, m. Curtis 
Rice of Northboro. Wilson Bride, s. of Josiah, d. in 
Dec, 1863; he removed from town when young, 
w^as. m. twice, returned and d. here. 

Asa Bridc\ James", Alexander', m. Lucy Brown 
June 6, 1803. He remained on the old homestead. 



304 HISTORY OF THE 

He d. Oct. 21, 1809; she d. in 1842. Had Lucy, b. 
1804, d. Nov. 3, 1872, unm. ; Asa, b. 1805; Caty, 
b. 1806, d. May 12, 1890, unm. 

Asa Bridc\ Asa', James", Alexander', occupied the 
old Bride homestead, together with his two sisters, 
Lucy and Catv, all unm. He was a thrifty farmer, 
a man of good judgment, and dealt considerably in 
cattle, of which he was a good judge* Had no open 
road to town until 1853. After the Hoosac tunnel 
was opened, he took a ride on the cars through that 
great bore, which was the first by rail he had ever 
taken. He d. Aug. 23, 1872, at 67. 

Caty Bride, sister of Asa', after the death of her 
brother and sister in 1872, sold the old farm and 
bought the place in Carterville now owned by Rufus 
R. Wheeler. She built a barn on the same; not 
liking the location she sold and bought the Rev. 
Henry Adams place, now occupied by William Bas- 
sett in the Centre. By her will she left $2,000 to the 
town in trust, the income of which to be expended 
for the benefit of poor, deserving women of Berlin 
(not paupers), for which gracious gift her memory is 
held in kindly regard and esteem by all. 

Calvin Br id c\ Josiah', James", Alexander', m. 

Eager. Lived in Northboro ; had no children. 

Amos Bridc\ Josiah', James", Alexander', m. Abi- 
gail Sinith of Peru and sister to Oliver Smith. He 
d. Nov. 13, 1882; she d. April 24, 1864. Had David 
M., b. Jan. 6, 1839; Lydia, b. May 15, 1 84 i,m. William 
L. Ward Feb. 19, 1861 ; Lucinda A., b. June 9, 1843, 
m. Chaplin , m. 2d, Isaac Ryan,, d. Nov. 21^ 





r*|l^^ 



■'V' 



h^- '<S 




im 



^■^T"*" 




JOSIAH BRIDE. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 305. 

1893; Josiah Wilson, b. Nov. 29, 1845; William- 
Amos, b. Sept. 8, 1856, d. Aug. 25, 1857. 

Josiah Bride\ Josiah', James^ Alexander', m. Betsey 
(Fosgate) Spofford, wid. He was the founder of the 
Berlin Academy, which flourished here under his 
supervision from 1833 to 1853. He first began with 
a few scholars in the old Town House, but sooti 
removed to a building built by the Orthodox for a 
church, the building next west of A. A. Bartlett's. 
He had a large boarding-house, the same afterwards 
used for a hotel and was burned a few years ago ; now 
the site of the Unitarian parsonage. Mr. Bride was 
a self-educated man, "never enjoying the advantages 
of high school or academy." He was good in scholar- 
ship, and excelled in communicating. He d. Oct. 8, 
1886; his wife, Betsey, d. Dec. 22, 1877, aged 88 yrs. 
Had Ann Eliza, b. 1826, d. April 11, 1834; Lydia 

jane, b. , m. William A. Wilde April 15, 

1852, a book merchant of Boston; they had one son. 

David J. M. Bride", Avi\os\ Josiah', James", Alex- 
ander', m. Caroline F. Hale Sept. 27, 1862; he lives 
on the Thomas Hale place. Had Lizzie Gertrude, 
b. April 25, 1866. 

Josiah Wilson Bride', Amos', Josiah", James^ Alex- 
ander', m. Esther Jane, dau. of Josiah Wilson of 
Ashburnham, Feb. 26, 1866; present res.. Concord, 
N. H. He bears the military honor of major. 

Obadiah Bride', John', Alexander', m. Amity 
Aldrich 1791. Had Benjamin, Eliza, Phebe, Sarah, 
John, Lucy; dau. Eliza, in 1827, in taking her 
books from the school-house in the east district 
by the window, was caught by the falling sash and 



3o6 HISTORY OF THE 

there died. Obadiah lived on the William Fry- 
place in 1828; built the house. 

Charles B. Bancroft and wife were residents here, 
1885-88; owned the Carvelle place. Was seriously 
injured while at work building the new road south 
of the Central railroad. He removed to Newton, 
from whence he came. 

HRIGHAM. 

Thomas and Samuel Brigham were the first of the 
name on Berlin records. Joel, who lived here awhile, 
was not immediately connected with these ; he resided 
mostly on Ball hill. Another, not within our borders, 
but near our line in Boylston, mingling with Berlin 
families, was Dr. Samuel Brigham, who m. a sister 
of Dr. Stephen Ball, with whom he studied medicine, 
and would have had eminence but for an injury 
which disabled him. He graduated at Harvard 
College in 1799; joined Washington at Cambridge 
in 1777, and was at the execution of Major Andre. 
One, John Brigham, was here in 1784; he appears 
in Northboro also and was authorized by the town 
"to cul out" seven men with him at two shillings 
per day to go out towards Cold Harbor "to cil rattle- 
snakes." The Thomas and Samuel above-named 
were descendants of Thomas Brigham, b. in England 
in 1603; came over in 1635. His wife was Mercy 
Hurd; they settled in Marlboro, from whom the 
numerous families of Brighams hereabouts have 
descended. The lineage runs from this first Thomas 
through Thomas', Nathan', Thomas' and Paul', the 
father of the two brothers who settled here. Be- 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 307 

sides those above-named, David and Willard Brigham 
from Marlboro lived a short time here ; Willard was 
on the Moses Dudley place about 1800. He had 
seven children, one of whom was the Rev. Levi 
Brigham, who m. Mary, dau. of Dea. Dexter Fay, and 
the Rev. Willard, who was settled in Ashfield. 

Thomas Brigham, s. of Paul of Marlboro, m. Azubah 
Babcock May 6, 1795; he settled on the Barnabas 
Bailey farm, recently owned by Winslow B. Morse. 
Had Paul, b. April 12, 1796; Thomas, Jr., b. Oct. 
17^ 1797; vSibyl, b. May 10, 1799, d. unm. July 4, 
1879; Elizabeth, b. May 14, 1805, m. John F. New- 
ton, d. in Northboro, had no children ; Azubah, b. 
Oct. 4, 1809, d. March i, 1835, after a long and pain- 
ful sickness. He d. March 9, 1821, at 55; wife d. 
Oct. 1 1, 1847, at 83. 

Capt. Paul Brigham, s. of Thomas of Berlin, m. 
Harriet (Brigham) Phelps of Marlboro, mother of 
Mrs. L. L. Carter. They had no children ; he con- 
tinued on the old homestead. He d. June 24, 1869, 
at 73; she d. Jan. 11, 1892, at 90 yrs. 10 mos. 10 
days. 

Thomas Brigham, Jr., m. Anna Carter, dau of Daniel, 
March 28, 1822; he lived on the farm now owned 
by Lewis L. Carter and built the brick house now on 
the place. Had Ann Eliza, b. Sept. 12, 1824, m. 
Samuel L Rice of Northboro. He d. in Northboro 
June 19, 1855; wid. d. in Berlin Sept. 11, 1876. 

Samuel BrigJiam, s. of Paul of Marlboro, m. Asenath, 
dau. of Barnabas Bailey, May 17, 1787; he settled 
near his brother, Thomas, on a part of his father-in- 
law's place, now owned by William Crosby; by 



308 HISTORY OF THE 

trade he was a weaver; invented a new shuttle. 
Had Betsey, b. Nov. 5, 1787, d. unm. 1841 ; Sera- 
phina, b. June 5, 1789, m. Josiah Crosby; Barnabas, 
b. March 13, 1791, d. Sept., 1855, m. Persis Maynard, 
res., Marlboro; Sophia, b. Aug. 25, 1796, d. 1824, 
unm.; Eli, b. Aug. 7, 1799, m. Lucy Crosby, res., 
Pittsburg, N. H. He d. 1832. 

Dr. Daniel Brigliavi of Marlboro, a descendant of 
the first Thomas, but of another branch of the Brig- 
ham family, m. Anna Monroe; his father, Jonas, lived 
on the State Reform School premises; Dr. Daniel 
settled in Northboro, and lastly in Berlin in 1800, 
res., on the Crosby place. Had Persis Baker, b. 
April 26, 1784, d, 1808 ; Barnabas, b. April 14, 1786, 
m. Mary Fife of Bolton and settled in Marlboro; 
Daniel, b. Jan. 27, 1788, d. in Northboro; Anna, b. 
Aug. 8, 1790, m. Prentice Keyes of Northboro; Lois, 
b. April 19, 1783, m, Theophilus Nourse of Berlin; 
Abraham, b. March 25, 1792, m. Mindwell Brigham 
of Northboro. The family removed to Marlboro in 
1826. Dr. Brigham d. in 1837 at 77 yrs. ; he was a 
soldier of the Revolution. 

Willard Brigham, s. of Caleb of Marlboro, m. Betsey, 
dau. of Oliver Russell; he d. Aug. 28, 1835 ; he was 
probably the first settler on the Moses Dudley place ; 
he rem. to Marlboro. Had seven children ; the third 
was Levi, b. Oct. 14, 1806, graduate of Williams 
College ; was a clergyman at Saugus, and m. Mary, 
dau. of Dexter Fay. 

Joel BrigJiam, from Ball hill, Northboro, lived in 
Carterville about 1857; was the father of Ira and 
Abraham ; returned to Northboro. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 3O9 

Ira Brig]iani^, Joel', m. Betsey, dau. of Luther 
Carter ; lived at various places ; d. in Northboro. 

Francis E. BrigJiavi, b. in Marlboro July 22, 1861, 
m. Eva M. Whitney of Ludlow, Vt. ; lives on the 
George H. Maynard place. Had Persis E., b. April 
II, 1885; Alice R.,b. Jan. 2, 1887; Mabel F., b. July 
4, 1888; Cora M., b. April 29, 1890. 

Abraham Brig/iajn\ Joel', ni. Hannah Stone of 
Westboro ; came to Berlin in 1852; manufactured 
shoes in Carterville with Joseph H. Stone, firm of 
Brigham & Stone. Had George, b. Sept. 8, 1841, d. 
Jan. 26, 1856, death caused by fright; Marion S., b. 
Nov. 25, 1843, m. Charles B. Rathburn July i, i860; 
Anna Louisa, b. March 22, 1845, ^- Benjamin F. 
Seymour April 18, 1861, res., Ohio; Henrietta D., b. 
June 7, 1848, m., June i, 1868, Edward S. Bryant. 
Abraham d. in Chicago Nov. 22, 1857; wid. d. in 
Berlin Dec. 26, 1857, age 35. 

BREWER. 

James Brewer, from Sudbury, m. Deborah, dau. of 
Jacob Moore, about 1780; he lived east of the road 
just beyond the Capt. Samuel Spofford place; house 
spot now visible ; he moved from there in the winter 
on a hand-sled ; had a young child which they stowed 
among the pots and kettles to move ; they went on 
rackets across lots to East woods in Boylston, where 
they lived the rest of their lives and died there. Had 
James, bap. here 1780; John, b. 1782, d. young; 
John, b. 1783, m. Dorcas, dau. of John Bruce; Mary, 
b. 1785 ; Thomas, b. 1788 ; Abijah, b. 1792, d. unm., 
was famous as a blaster of rocks; Charit}', b. 1793, 



310 HISTORY OF THE 

m., 1816, Nathan Ball, 2d, of Ball hill ; Mary, b. 1794; 

Cyrus, 1797; Eber, b. , m. Lucy Fay, dau. of 

Dea. Dexter, and settled in Northboro. 

Leonard W. Breiver, s. of Leonard Brewer of Boyl- 
ston and grands, of John, who was b. in" this town 
in 1783, and who m. Dorcas Bruce, m. Harriet J, 
Walker Oct. 2, 1866, dau. of Matthias Walker of 
Northboro; he came to this town in 1866, bought 
the Eli Sawyer place, where he now resides ; has 
since bought the Asa Bride farm. Had Nellie 
W., b. Aug. 23, 1868, m. George E. Keizer; 
Mabel H., b. Dec. 18, 1869, m. Alfred E. Hap- 
good of Hudson; Arthur L., b. Dec. 4, 1871 ; Frank 
W., b. June 21, 1876; Alfred D., b. Sept. 6, 1878; 
Ruth E., b. June 15, 1883. 

Arthur L. Brewer, s. of Leonard W., m. Cora E. 
Wheeler, dau. of Samuel, Dec. 4, 1891. Had Leon 
A., b. June 23, 1893; they live on the Asa Bride 
place. 

BROOKS. 

Jonas Brooks from Concord in 1745 settled in the 
north part, west of the Daniel Wheeler farm, still 
known as the Brooks place; rem. from town in 1774; 
buildings gone long ago. 

BROWN. 

Henry Broivn, b. in Stow April 13, 1780, m., 1805, 
Abigail Mossman, dau. of Ezra of Sudbury; he lived 
in the east part on a place before owned by Daniel 
Bruce and the Bakers, Benjamin and Stephen. Had 
Lucinda, b. Dec. 11, 1805, m. George Maynard; 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 3II 

Louisa, b. 1807, d. young; Henry B., b. April 12, 
18 1 2, d. young; Ira H. M., b. Aug. 24, 18 15. He d. 
Oct. 29, 1848, at 68 ; wid. d. Oct. 19, 1 861, at 73. 

Ira H. M. Broxvn', Henry', m. Amelia Houghton 
of Stow March 21, 1841 ; lived on the homestead of 
his father. Had Caroline L., b. Feb. 18, 1844, m. 
George W. Jones; Henry E., b. Nov. 21, 1846; Frank 
E., b. May 6, 1848, res., Hudson, m. Nellie Hardy 
Nov. 20, 1870; Walter E., b. July 29, 1849. He d. 
April 27, 1880, at 64. 

Henry E. Brown\ Ira H. M.^ Henry", m. Nellie F. 
Nourse Oct. 28, 1870; lives in new house by the 
corner. Had Charles, b. Feb. 22, 1873. 

Walter E. Brcnvn\ Ira H. M.', Henry', m. Clara 
Jane Robinson May 28, 1874; he retains the home- 
stead. Had Clara, b. July 3, 1875, d. Dec. 30, 1875, 
6 mos. old; Lena A., b. Feb. i, 1884. 

William H. Broiun, s. of James, m. Nancy J., b. 
Feb. 14, 1828, dau. of Artemas Barnes, June 5, 1850. 
Had Walter A., b. April 27, 1851; Arthur H., b. 
June 19, 1853. She d. May 26, 1854; m., 2d, Sarah 
E., dau. of Artemas Barnes, Oct. 17, 1861 ; she was 
b. April 15, 1832. They moved here from Princeton 
Feb. I, 1883, and occupy the Capt. William Barnes 
place. 

BRUCE. 

The name is Scotch, and historic for patriotism. 
They appear in Marlboro about 1 700. John of Sud- 
bury was b. probably about 1650. His son, Roger, 
and wife, Elizabeth, had ten children. Of sons, 
Abijah and Thomas had no family record, Elisha 



312 HISTORY OF THE 

settled in Worcester, David in vSouthboro, and Daniel, 
our ancestor, in Berlin. In 1731 Daniel boug-ht of 
Jonathan Wheeler 1 16 acres, "all in one lot," bounded 
west by the. Gates fann. Roger settled first in 
Southboro, but afterwards moved to the west of the 
Assabet, tog'cther with his two sons, Benjamin and 
John, where they settled. Son, Daniel, settled on 
the farm known as the Ira Brown place. No family 
has a nobler record for patriotism than the Bruces, 
as appears from the services of members of the 
family in the old French and Indian war, the war of 
the Revolution and the war of the Rebellion. Tradi- 
tion has it they are a branch of the celebrated Bruces 
of Scotland, of which Robert was king in 1305, but 
no records have been found making the connection. 

BRYANT. 

Edwards. Bryant horn Hyde Park, Vt., m. Henrietta 
D., dau. of Abraham Brigham, May 28, 1867; lived 
awhile on the Merrick Felton place ; rem. to Sullivan, 
N. H., 1885 ; he d. there Aug. 23, 1889; was a soldier 
in the late war. Had Edith L. and Eva E., twins, 
b. May 19, 1869; Eva E., m. Lester, s. of Rufus 
R. Wheeler; George E., b. March 15, 1873; Lil- 
lian E., b. Aug. 26, 1877; Carroll W., b. May 28, 
1884. The wid. returned here, where she now lives. 

BURKE. 

Michael Biirkc, b. in county of Mayo, Ireland, 1835, 
m. Catherine Gill Nov. 23, 1855; came to town in 
1853 ; he lives on the Clinton road; owns part of the 
Jonathan D. Merriam farm ; is a shoemaker and 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 313 

farmer. Had John T., b. Jan. 20, 1856, re.s., Marl- 
boro; Mary A., b. Dec. 23, 1858, d. 1864; William 
M., b. Nov. 4, i860; Austin E., b. Oct. 15, 1862; 
Walter M., b. Oct. 15, 1864, res., Haverhill; Agnes 
E., b. Sept. 4, 1866; Caty M A., b. June 15, 1869, d. 
1872; Rosetta, b. March 15, 1873; Charles H,, b. 
June I 5, 1874. 

BUTLER. 

James Butler, jd, s. of James, Jr., of Bolton, and a 
descendant of the Butlers of Woburn, settled on the 
Joel Proctor place, now owned by John Collins ; he 
bought the noted "cranberry meadow where the 
• beavers had made a dam," the meadow west of the 
Toad traversed by the Old Colony railroad ; the dam 
is now spoiled. He m. Hannah, a dau. of James Wil- 
son; had a numerous family and d. 1734. His 
successor on the place was his son, Isaac. Simon, 
another son, settled west of Clamshell pond. A 
number of the Butler family settled in Troy and 
Marlboro, N. H. Joseph Butler, the miller for 
James Pitts of Clinton, where the Lancaster mills 
now stand, was grands, of Isaac and s. of Joseph and 
Parna Temple, b. 1794. His house, built in 1820, 
;still stands southwest of the bridge. John, a s. of 
James Butler, sold in 1756 108 acres on the south- 
west side of Third Division hill, including the "mill 
place" and saw-mill, to John Pollard (record incom- 
plete). 

Granville Butler, b. March 19, 1824, s. of Joseph of 
Bolton, m., May 26, 1845, Julia Barnard, b. Dec. 6, 
1826, dau. of Winsor of Boylston; he was overseer 



314 HISTORY OF THE 

in a factory at West Boylston for a number of years ; 
came to Berlin in 1885, and settled on the place 
formerly owned by Ansel L. Snow. He d. May 14, 
1895, aged 71, Had Charles E., b. April i, 1849; 
Ella E., b. Dec. 15, 1852, d. Dec. 27, 1858; Willie A., 
b. Sept. 22, 1855, d. Jan. 8, 1859; Herbert G., b. 
March 4, i860; Wilbur A., b. Dec. 19, 1862; Ernest 
L., b. April 7, 1866. 

BULLARD. 

Joel Bnllard, s. of Nathan of Medway, b. 
June, 1799, m. Judith, dau. of Ithamer Brig- 
ham of Marlboro, b. Oct., 1799; he lived where 
his dau,, Martha S., now resides, a place of great 
antiquity, which had been successively occupied 
by John Pollard, Samuel Jones, John Dexter 
and Solomon Howe ; he was a blacksmith ; had a 
shop where A. A. Bartlett's house now stands. Had 
Henry M., b. Aug. 22, 1826, d. May 9, i860; 
Jane M. and James M., twins, b, Aug. 23, 1836; 
James M. m. Arvilla Hadley, res., Worcester; Mary 
C. J., b. July 8, 1834, m. William R. Patch March 5, 
1854, res., Fitchburg, d. 1882; Martha S., b. Aug. 
15, 1825; Harriet H., b. Sept. 26, 1831, d. Nov. 21, 
1875. He d. Nov. 8, 1850, at 56; wid. d. Oct. 
21, 1864, at 64 yrs. Nathan Bullard, father to Joel, 
d. here May 21, 1846, at 84 yrs. 6 mos. 

CALDWELL. 

Williavi Caldivcll, m. Ada M., dau. of Ariel K. 
Fletcher, 1872; was a shoemaker; d. of hydrophobia 
from the bite of a mad dog Oct. 9, 1877. 




THE BULLARD HOUSE. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 315 

CANOUSE. 

JoJui Canouse lived south of the Bolton station ; was- 
thrown from his horse and killed at his home ; he was 
a deserter from Burgoyne's army ; a native of Ger- 
many. He m. Phebe Butler of Bolton in 1780, and 
was probably at one time one of the Six Nations- 
district. 

CARTER. 

Rev. Thovias Carter, the first of the name in New 
England, and claimed to be the progenitor of all here 
who bear it, was b. in England in 16 10; graduated 
at Cambridge College, Eng., about 1635 : was known 
here first as an elder in the church at Dedham, then 
in Watertown; he became pastor in Woburn in 
1642; his salary was eighty pounds, one-fourth in 
silver, the remainder in necessaries of family use; 
later twenty cords of wood were added. His wife's, 
name was Mary Dalton. He d. in office in 1684;. 
one item of funeral expenses was fourteen gallons of 
wine. Had eight children, who scattered widely. 
His dau., Mary, m. into the heroic and patriotic 
Wyman family of Woburn, represented in Shrews- 
bury by the Revolutionar}' patriot, Ross Wyman, 
The first s. was Samuel, b. in Woburn in 1640; 
graduated at Harvard College in 1 660 ; he exercised 
his gifts in the ministry, but was not designated by 
the term "Rev.," because not in the pastorate; now 
all our theologues are recognized as "Rev." A 
library valued at fifteen pounds in those times indi- 
cates that perhaps he was more given to literature 
than to preaching. His father bought him a home 



.316 HISTORY OF THE 

on George hill in Lancaster in 1668. He was "an 
occasional supply" in Lancaster and also in Groton, 
where he was called in 1692. He d. in 1693. 

Rev. Samuel Carhr\ s. of Rev. Thomas of Woburn, 
m. Eunice Brooks in Woburn; rem. to Lancaster; 
had nine children ; one of these, Samuel', b. in Lan- 
caster Jan. 7, 1678, m. in 1701, Dorothy Wilder; 
her mother was Mary Savage, dau. of Thomas, Jr., 
another leading force in the blood of 5-oung Lancaster, 
and Savage's mother was dau. of John Prescott, — so 
we have a quadruple alliance of energy in our Carter 
stock. No wonder there was not a bald head in the 
late Woburn convention of Carters. Had by wife. 
Dorothy, twelve children; one of these, Samuel', b. 
1703, m. in 1725 Jemima Houghton, and they had 
eleven children; Stanton, b. Feb. 5, 1738, was the 
eighth. He was the head of the Berlin families; 
his first residence was in Leominster, where he 
gained citizenship. In 1 763 he bought land of 
Benjamin Houghton on east side of Third Division 
hill; in 1770 he bought of Timothy Temple "in south 
part of Lancaster." This last probably locates him 
upon the Central Mass. railroad in Boylston, near the 
Berlin line. The homestead is still marked by two 
little graves, easterly of Henry C. Hastings' place. 

Stanton Carter, s. of SamueF of Lancaster, m. Penina, 
dau. of Daniel Albert, who lived just across the 
Boylston line, May 27, 1762; in his old age he lived 
near his s., Daniel, on the H. D. Coburn place; he 
went to Maine with his s., Stanton, but returned and 
■d. here in 1823. Wid. d. June 18, 1825. Had 
Daniel, b. Nov, 27, 1762; Sanderson, b. Aug. 17, 




W' 


'■J-""^M 


^ . - qM 


£^^| 





MKS. LEWIS CAKTliK. 

F. H. CKOSSMAN. 

11. n. COHLKN. 



I.LIlltK CAKIl^K. 

IKA O. CAKTliK- 

MKS. SANDEKSON C.M<TEK. 

MAKTIIA CHAMBERLIN. 



LEWIS CAK 1 EK. 
DANIEL II. CARTEK. 
MHS. D. H. CAKTEK. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 317- 

1764, in Leominster; Jemima, b. May 29, 1766; 
Stanton, b. 1768; Mary, b. 1770, m. Levi Wheeler; 
Sarah, b. 1773, m. Peregrine Wheeler, moved to 
Richmond, N. H. ; Samuel, b. 1776, m. Jennie 
Wheeler, settled in Maine. 

Dankl Carter'', Stanton", m. Dolly Jones, dan. of 
Samuel' ; he lived first on the H. D. Coburn place ; 
then bought the farm where Mr. Carville lives, before- 
owned by Joshua Johnson, Jr. Had Amory, b. June 
14, 1785, infant, d.; Samuel, b. Oct. 2, i788,m. Dolly 
Merriam, res., Lancaster; Daniel, b. Feb. i, 1790; 
Leonard, b. March 19, 1792; Dolly, b. Feb. 14, 1794, 
m. Ira B. Longley of Boylston Sept. 9, 1822, m., 2d, 
Stephen Shattuck of Northboro, she d. Feb. 28, 1870; 
Lewis, b. July 17, 1796; Anna, b. June i, 1798, m. 
Thomas Brigham, res. in Berlin and Northboro, d. 
Sept. II, 1876; Mary, b. March 29, 1800, m. John 
Bartlett; Danforth, b. May 19, 1802; Rufus, b. Feb. 
27, 1804,; Sally, b. 1806, d. 1808; Chandler, b. Oct. 
7, 1808. Daniel, vSr., d. July 29, 1824; wid. d. Dec. 
II, 1853, at 88. 

Ajiiory Carter', Daniel", Stanton', m. Dec. i, 1808, 
Lucinda, dau. of Capt. Josiah Sawyer; he succeeded 
Nathan Barber as miller at the west part mills ; he d,. 
by fall from barn scaffold Feb. 8,1815. His father had 
recently deeded to him the grist and saw-mill. Had 
Sarah, b. Sept. 21, 1809, m. Jonas Hale, he d., she; 
m., 2d, Elijah Bigelow; Ira, b. May 6, 181 1 ; i\mory, 
b. Jan. 23, 1813; Daniel H., b. Feb. i, 181 5. His 
wid. m., 2d, Cummings Moore, she d. March 8, 1875,, 
age 85 yrs. 



3l8 HISTORY OF THE 

Daniel Carter^, Danier, Stanton', m., April 8, 1817, 
Hannah Stowe of Worcester ; her mother wasdau. of 
Jotham Maynard ; he lived in the west part on the place 
now owned and occupied by Lorenzo Bruce ; he rem. to 
Kennedy, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and lived with his 
s., Charles Curtis, and there d. Aug. 6, 1879. Wid. 
d. 1888. Had Charles Curtis, b. Jan. 23, 18 18, m. 
Eunice Alma Babcock, dau. of Josiah, Nov. 24, 1842, 
res., Kennedy, N. Y. ; Mary Ann, b. Jan. 31, 1822, 
m. Chauncey P. Hartwell ; Sarah H., b. Jan. 13, 1824, 
m., Sept. 24, 1846, Samuel I. Howe of Shrewsbury, 
she d. 1856 ; Hannah L., b. April 13, 1829, m., Jan. 
31, 1852, Oliver B. Wyman of vShrewsbury. 

Leonard Carter^, DanieP, Stanton', m. Persis Bailey 
March 19, 1817; he settled within Boylston limits. 
Had Enoch B., b. Jan. 18, 18 19, res., Wisconsin ; 
W^illiam B., b. Sept. 13, 1822 ; Persis B., b. June 4, 
1827. Wife, Persis, d. June 8, 1827. Hem., 2d, 
Ann G. Brigham, Oct. 2, 1827. Had by Ann G., 

Leonard, b. March 2, 1830; Jonas B., b. ; Lydia 

Ann, b. June 16, 1834, m. Oliver Sawyer; Mary E., 
b. Nov. 4, 1838, m. David B. Whitcomb. He d. 
Sept. 18, 1849; wid. m., 2d, Amos Wheeler, Jan. 6, 
1852 ; shed, at R. B. Wheeler's. 

Lewis Carter", DanieP, Stanton', m., April 17, 1821, 
Sarah, dau. of Capt. Josiah Sawyer ; he lived in the 
west part on the place now occupied by his s., Jonas, 
before owned by James Fife. Had Lewis Lincoln, 
b. Nov. 10, 1822; Susan C, b. Jan. 28, 1825, m. 
Winslow B. Morse, she d. April 20, 1855 ; Silas R., 
b. Sept. 16, 1828; Sarah E., b. Oct. 18, 1830, m. 
Algernon Cartwright ; IraO,,b. Nov. 18, 1832 ; Lucy, 




^.^ci'-i-i^sC^^^ ^.{^l>t^^ 




MARY CARTER. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 319 

b. Oct. 4, 1834, d. Feb. i6, 1874, unm. ; Eugenia S., 
b. June 25, 1838, m. Winslow B. Morse; Jonas H., 
b. Jan. 23, 1840. He d. Sept. 8, 1878; wife, vSarah, 
d. Feb. 27, 1895, and was the oldest person in town 
at the time of her death. 

Danforth Carter", Danie?, Stanton', m., April 3, 

1827, Louisa Hastings of Boylston; he lived on the 
H. D. Coburn place. Had Elbridge G., b. Jan. 17, 

1828, res., Hudson; Nancy H., b. Sept. 4, 1830, m. 
Howard M. Campbell of Hudson May 25, 1876; 
Dolly E., b. Feb. 3, 1833, d. Jan. 18, 1854; Thomas 
Steadman, b. June 25, 1839, m., Sept. 16, 1863, Mary 
Leland of Sherborn, res., Hudson. H& d. Oct. 8, 
1852; wid. d. Oct. 5, 1853. 

Rufus Carter'', Daniel', Stanton', m. vSarah, dau. of 
John Goss of Lancaster, May, 1834. Had Mary W., 
b. Jan. 9, 1835, d. Dec. 28, 1876; she bequeathed 
$1,000 to the Unitarian Society of Berlin; Adeliza, 
b. Feb. 13, 1836, d. June 6, 1841; John Gilbert, b. 
Jan. 9, 1838, m., in Clinton, Ellen M. Henry. Rufus 
d. Nov. 9, 1842, and his wid. m. Eli Sawyer, s. of 
Rufus. 

Chandler Carter", Danie?, Stanton', m. Nancy, dau. 
of Abraham Babcock of Boston, April 28, 1839; ^^ 
lived on the Northboro road, next south of the Dr. 
Puffer place. Had Jane Elizabeth, b. April 8, 1840, 

m. David Barrett of Concord ; she d. . Wife, 

Nancy, d. March 7, 185 1. He m., 2d, Leah H. Lin- 
coln of Pembroke, Me.; she d. Aug. 16, 1879, age 
57. Both wives d. by like surgical operations of 
painful interest. He was a great benefactor to the 
town; he gave the town $20,000 to clear it of debt; 



320 HISTORY OF THE 

he gave in trust $20,000 to the Unitarian Society,, 
and gave $10,000 to the Children's Mission, to the- 
children of the destitute of Boston ; his name will be 
long remembered with gratitude by the people of Ber- 
lin for the great good he did with a portion of his 
wealth. He d. Feb. i, 1891. 

Ira Cartcr\ Amor^'", Daniel", Stanton', m. Hannah 
Jones Aug. 3, 1834; he lived in Boylston and Berlin 
at various places; d. on Henry Powers' place. Had 
Calvin H., b. March 27, 1837, was in the battle of 
Bull Run, was wounded and discharged; George Ira, 
b. June 19, 1847, d. in the army, a prisoner at Peters- 
burg, Va., Sept. 30, 1864; Caroline E., b. Oct. 24,. 
1836, d. young. Ira, Sr., d. Oct. 19, 1859; wid. d.. 
Nov., 1890. 

Amory Cartcr\ Amory', DanieP, Stanton', m. Persis, 
dau. of Benjamin Franklin vSpofford, April, 1839; he 
first settled where Algernon Cartwright lives ; rem, 
to Worcester, but returned and built the house 
where Mrs. George Ames lives ; he res. in AVorces- 
ter with his dau., Persis, at the time of his death ; he 
was a natural mechanic and carpenter; built many 
houses in Worcester and elsewhere. Had Persis H. 
S., b. Feb. 12, 1840, she m. William H. King. Wife, 
Persis, d. Feb. 15, 1840. He m., 2d, Nancy, dau. of 
James Davenport of Boylston. Had by her, Fred- 
erick, b. 1848, d. Aug. 5, 1862, age 14; Adelaide, m. 
Leander Comstock, res., Brooklyn, N. Y. Wife, 
Nancy, d. ; he m., 3d, Comfort Quimby ; she d., no- 
date; he d. vSept., 1892. He was a contractor in 
house building; in 1881 he lost his eyesight in blast- 
ing a rock; he then devoted his time to a history of 
the Sawvers. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 3^1 

Daniel H. Cartcr\ Amor/, Danie?, Stanton\ m. 
Lucy Ann, dau. of Leonard Hartwell, April 8, 1840; 
he settled first in the west part, on the place where 
Ebenezer Dailey now lives; rem. to Hopedale m 
1849- was one of the early members of the commu- 
nity thence he returned to the homestead of his 
mother on Sawyer hill in 1863; went to Athol m 
188- returned and bought the place where he now 
lives in Carterville, in 1884; they have an adopted 
dau.,' Flora Jane, who m. Benjamin S. Walker, wha 
res. with them. 

Oliver Cartcr\ SamueF, Daniel\ Stanton', m. Polly 
Warner April 30, 1834: l^e lived on Barnes hill after 
he came to Berlin, on the place recently owned l)y S. 
S Greenlief. Had bv Polly, Oliver W., b. April 10,. 
1836; Sarah F., b. Dec. 6, 1838. Wife, Polly, d 
Feb 28 1842; m., 2d, Marv Sophia, dau. of Daniel 
Barnes ' Feb. 8, 1848. Had by Mary Sophia, Mary 
Dillv m., April 22, 1875, Dennis E. Wheeler of Ber- 
lin res., Leominster; Samuel Marshall, b. March 3, 
1851 m., March 4, i«75, ^^^^h L., dau. of Silas S. 
Greenlief, res., Gardner; Julia B., b. Oct. 31, i853; 
Everett M., b. March 8, 1858. He d. Jan. 3L 1871 i. 
the family rem. to Lancaster. 

William Barnes Carter', Leonard\ Daniel, Stanton', 
m Mary Adella, dau. of Amos Sawyer, Jr., ; he set- 
tled in Georgia; wife, Mary, d. during the war; he 
returned with children. Had Addie Adella. b. July 
II 1858 m.GeorgeM.Southwick; William A., b. Mar. 
4 '186 1 ;' m., 2d, July 12, 1870, Mary A. Fowler of 
Springfield; had Horace Choate, b. April 7, 187U 
He now res. in Springfield ; is a music teacher. 



32 2 HISTORY OF THE 

Lewis L. Carter', Lewis', Daniel'', Stanton', ni., April 
5, 1849, vSiisan E. Phelps of Marlboro and dau. of 
Mrs. Paul Brigham ; he lives on the Thomas Brig- 
ham farm in the west part. Had Sidney Brigham, 
b. Sept. 23,' 1852; Lewis Paul, b. Jan. 17, 1856; 
Cora Isabelle, b. June 17, i860, m. Feb. 21, 
1879, Calvin Hastings of Boylston; two children d. 
in infancy. 

Silas R. Carter', Lewis', Daniel", Stanton', m., July 
13, 1856, Emily Crowell of Barnard, Vt. ; he is 
station agent at the Old Colony railroad at the west 
part, and dealer in grain, coal and groceries. Had 
Willard Crowell, b. March 8, 1858; Eugene Francis 
and Eugenia Frances, twins, b. Aug. 12, i860, 
Eugenia F. d. ; Lucy A., b. Aug. i, 1862, m., Oct. 20, 
1 89 1, Albert R. Carter of Leominster; Silas RoUa, 
b. April 8, 1868; remains at home with his father, 

Ira O. Carter*, s. of Lewis', Daniel', vStanton', m. 
Susan F. Shattuck of Groton March 6, 1 860. Had 
two children, d. in infancy. He d. Feb. 13, 1885; 
"wife d. Oct. 1 8, 1 892. He was substantially a self-made 
man. Aside from the meagre advantages of the west 
school, he attended Mr. Bride's school one term and 
was at the New Ipswich Academy six months ; after, 
wards went to Kentucky and was a professor in 
Paducah College; came home on the breaking out 
of the war; later attended the Harvard Law vSchool 
six months, and then engaged in the practice of the 
law at Arlington; was judge of the District Court at 
the time of his death. 

Jonas H. Carter', Lewis', DanieP, Stanton', m. An- 
netta L., dau. of Lemuel R. Draper of Hopkinton, 




SILAS R. CARTER. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



323 



Nov. 30, 1 87 1 ; he remains on the homestead of his 
father. Had Lemuel D., b. Oct. 25, 1873; Eva L., 
Id. April 6, 1881 ; Lucie H., b. Oct. 7, 1884. 

Sidney B. Carter'', Lewis L'., Lewis', Daniel", vStan- 
ton', m. J. Etta, dau. of George W. Fosgate, Dec. 25, 
1878; he lives in the west part on the Clinton road 
in house he built for himself ; he is a carpenter. 
Had Ruea E., b. Feb. 16, 1887; George L., b. March 
16, 1 89 1. 

Leivis P. Carter, s, of Lewis L., m. Ada E., dau. of 
James M. Simonds, July 2, 1881 ; is a machinist, res., 
Worcester. Had L. Herbert, b. Jan. 31, 1885; 
Ralph S., b. Dec. 12, 1887, d. Nov. 26, 1889; Irving 
E., b. Aug. 22, 1889; Milton P., b. Sept. 4, 1892. 
Wife d. 1894. 

Willard C. Carter, s. of Silas R., m., Nov. 17, 1880, 
Jennie F., dau. of Josiah Moore, res., Clinton; station 
.agent of Old Colony Railroad. 

Eugene F. Carter, s. of vSilas R., m., Feb., 1891, 
Georgiana, dau. of Theodore Hendricks, res., Nor- 
walk, Conn. 

Elbridge G. Carter*, Danforth', Daniel', Stanton', 
m., Aug. 4, 1850, Betsey C, dau. of Asa Carter; she 
■d. Sept. 20, 1850; m., 2d, July 20, 1852, Georgiana, 
dau. of George Maynard, res., Hudson. Two chil- 
dren: George L, b. Mar. 5, 1854, Leona L., b. May 2, 
1850. 

Thomas Steadnian Carter', Danforth', Daniel', Stan- 
ton', ni., Sept. 16, 1863, Mary Leland of Sherborn, 
res., Hudson. 



324 HISTORY OF THE 

SaiuLrsoH Carter, wStanton', m., Nov. 10, 1788^ 
Hannah Allen, dau. of Jotham Maynard, 2d ; he 
settled on the farm later known as the John M. 
Kellev place, the house probably the oldest in town. 
Had Luther, b. Jan. 15, 1790; Hannah, b. Feb. 28, 
1793, m. Warren Moore; Zilpah, b. July 9, 1798, m. 
Daniel Bartlett ; Chloe, b. April 12, 1812, d. Sept. 27, 
1873, unm. He was deacon of the old Unitarian 
Church; d. Aug. 30, 1841 ; wid. d. July 9, 1859. 

LutJicr Carter'', Sanderson", vStanton', m., March 24, 
1 8 1 I , Lucy, dau. of Christopher B. Bigelow ; he set- 
tled first on the place now owned by William T. 
Babcock, thence rem. to Carterville and was the 
founder thereof ; was the inventor of plastering- 
houses on the outside. Had by wife, Ivory, b. Feb. 
29, 181 2; Betsey, b. March 20, 1814, m. Ira Brigham, 
she d. April 12, 1856; Hannah, b. Feb. 17, 1818, m. 
Lewis H. Barnard; Persis, b. March 15, 1821, m. 
Thomas Pollard; Lucy, b. Oct. 27, 1825, m. Ezra 
S. ]\Ioore. Wife, Lucy, d. Nov. 27, 1850. He m., 
2d, Betsey Andrews, wid. of Asa of Boylston ; he d. 
Aug. 8, 1865. 

Ivory Carter', Luther', Sanderson", Stanton', m.,. 
Nov. II, 1833, Olive Smith, sister to Riley Smith 
and Mrs. Israel Sawyer ; he lived in Carterville, 
where his s., I. F. Carter, has since occupied. Had 
Laura E., b. Aug. 22, 1834, m. John A. Merrill, 
d. Aug. 28, 1866; Israel Francis, b. Feb. 6, 1839. 
Ivory d. Nov. 6, 1850; Olive, wid., d. Jan. 30, 1887. 

Israel Francis Carter', Ivory', Luther', Sanderson', 
Stanton', m. Susan M. Wood, dau. of Alonzo 
Wood of Marlboro; he continued on his father's 




REMAINS OF OLDEST HOUSE. 

(SANDERSON CARTER PLACE.) 



rOWX OF BERLIN 325 

place ; was a soldier in the late war, and was partially 
deaf after his return from service. Had Emma E., 
b. vSept. 16, 1861, m. Charles H. Green Jan. ii, 1880, 
d. Dec. 4, 1885 ; Laura M., b. March 25, 1870. He 
d. Feb. 19, 1893 ; wife, vSusan, d. April i, 1887. 

Stanton Carter", vStanton', m., April 5, 1797, Chloe 
Maynard, sister of the wife of Sanderson Carter ; 
settled in vStockton, jMe. Had Asa, b. March 10, 
1798. Wife, Chloe, d. 1799; m., 2d, Dec. 10, 1800, 
Abigail Bride, dau. of James. 

Asa Carter, vStanton', Stanton', m., Sarah A 
Lamphire ; she d., he m., 2d, Eleanor Carlton of 
Deer Isle, Me. ; they came thence to Berlin in 
1848 with nine daughters. He d. Oct. 3, 1850, at 
53 yrs. ; she d. Dec. 19. 1876, at 75 yrs. Children: 
Eleanor C, b. Mar. 17, 1824, m., Aug. 16, 1846, 
Riley Smith; Susan B.,b. Oct. 23, 1825, m., Nov. 28, 
1846, Joseph W. Ivlerrill; she d. July 2, i849;Thirza 
A., b. Nov. 4, 1827, m. Seth W. Merrill, 1844; she 
d. in Berlin Nov. 4, 1850; Betsey C, b. 1830. m. 
Elbridge Carter Aug. 4, 1850; she d. Sept. 20, 1850; 
Margaret S., b. Oct. 2, 1833, m., July 25, 1850, 
Phineas vStratton ; m., 2d, May 17, 1861, D. W. 
Warner, res., Boylston; Huldah A., b. Dec. 26, 1835, 
m., Jan. 2, 1853, vSeth W. ]\Ierrill, res., Hudson; 
Mary E., b. Feb. 14, 1838, m.. May 1, 1856, Charles 
T. Vinals; she d. Nov., 1865; Zilpah M., b. 
May 6, 1S40, m., March 15, 1857, Gustavus 
Smith; she d. Nov. 23. 1857; Julia Alice, b. 
Nov. 26, 1843, m., vSept. 3, 1862, James G. Ramsdell 
of Philadelphia. They have, besides these, a dau., 
Chloe, m. Thomas Lamphire of Lubec, Me.- They 



326 HISrORY OF THE 

had three sons killed in the army; had also a s., Asa,, 
in Stockton, Me. ; Jemima, dau. of vStanton, Sr., m. 
Levi Ellis of Stockton. 

CARTWRICiHT. 

Francis JcDiics Ldrtwright, b. Aug, 8, 1787, in Co, 
Derby, Eng., m. Mary Barker; came over in 1844;. 
two sons preceded him, viz.: Daniel, b. Nov. 18, 
1815; Algernon, b. March 31, 18 18; Elizabeth, b. 
1827, came over with parents, d. May 9, 1874; 
Frances J., d. Oct. 7. 1871, at 84; wife d. Nov. 20,. 
1868, at 82; lived last with Algernon. 

Daniel Car tier iglit, s. of James F., m. Salina, dau, 
of James Horsley, Co. Derby, Eng., 1838; was a 
carpenter; lived in the south part. Had Thomas, b, 
July 3, 1839 ;. Nathaniel H., b. Oct. 19, 1841 ; James, 
b. Dec. 24, 1843, d. Jan. 12, 1861 ; Charles D., b, 
April 29, 1847; Eliza A,, b. vSept. 28, 1849, d. Jan, 
18, 1869; Lucy E., b. Nov. 19, 185 1, m. George L, 
Howe; Mary S., b. vSept. 4, 1854, d. July» 14, 1856. 
He d. Dec. 28, 1890 ; she d. ^Larch 23. 1892. 

Algernon Cartzuright, s. of James F., m. vSarah E.,, 
dau. of Lewis Carter, March 31, 1858; a custom 
shoemaker; res. on the Hudson road, place before 
owned by Smith Dyar. Had Mar\'. b. July 15, 
1859, m. A. F. Pierce June 10, 1879; vSarah E., b, 
June 20, 1 86 1, m. vSamuel H. Wheeler of Bolton 
June 24, 1886; Walter A., b. vSept. 23, 1863, m, 
Annie L. Orr of Lynn; James L,, b. March 15, 1865,. 
m. Oct. I, 1890, Hattie F. Pike, res., Hud.son; Annie 
S., b. Nov. 27, 1869. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 327 

Nathaniel H. Cartivrighi, s. of Daniel, m. Abbie, 
dau. of William George Hapgood, March i, 1865 ; is 
a shoemaker, res., South Berlin, house built byAlonzo 
F. Howe. Had Cora Belle, b. April 25,1 866, d. young ; 
Fred H., b. March 13, 1867; George Herbert and 
Harry Elroy, twins, b. Oct. 19, 1874, The three sons 
excel as musicians. 



CARVEI.LE. 

Charhs IV. Carvel U\ s. of Daniel W., b. Feb. 23, 
185 1, m., July 31, 1869, Margaret F., dau. of Nathan 
Stowell, b. June 2^, 1848; moved to Berlin in 1877 
on the Samuel J. Moore place; in 1887 came to the 
old Daniel Carter farm. Had Wesley D., b. June 30, 
1873; Laverna C, b. Jan. 27, 1875, d. Dec. 30, 
1879; Nathan vS., b. Aug. 23, 1879. 

CHAMBERLIN. 

spencer C. Chaviberlin from Thetford, Vt., m, Hen- 
rietta J,, dau. of Henry Hastings; was a shoemaker; 
was in the service in the late war in Co. I, 36th 
Regt. ; rem. to New Bedford, where he still resides. 
Had by Henrietta, Ola L., b. April 11, 1859, d. Nov. 
4, 1887; wSpencer C, b. June 21, 1862; Erwin H., b. 
Aug. 29, 1865, m. in 1893, res., New Bedford; Lula 
M., b. May 15, 1868, m. and d. in New Bedford. 
Wife d. Aug. 12, 1884 ; m., 2d, in New Bedford. 

Spencer Carlton Chaiiiberlin, Jr., s. of Spencer C, m. 
Minnie E. Fay, dau. of Nahum W., Jan. 26, 1893; 
he is our mail carrier and lives in the Centre. 



328 HISTORY OF THE 

COBURN. 

Henry D. Coburii, s. of Leonard Coburn of Lynn 
and grands, of Job of Dracut, was b. Aug-. 16, 18 14, 
m., Nov. 13, 1833, Hannah, dau. of Daniel Sawyer 
of Bolton ; he settled on the place now occupied by 
liis s. Joseph's wid., Mary E. Coburn; he was a shoe- 
maker; had a shop near his house, where he carried 
on the business of bottoming shoes. Had by wife, 
Hannah, Hannah M., b. March 5, 1835, m. Ansel L. 
Snow; Susanna, b, March 8, 1838, d. young; Joseph 
L., b. March 10, 1840; William H., b. Feb. 16, 1842; 
enlisted in the army under age, and d. of wounds 
received in the battle of the Wilderness. Wife, 
Hannah, d. Dec. 19, 1866, age 55 ; he m., 2d, April 
27, 1870, Mrs. vSarah H., wid. of Amos Sawver; an 
adopted dau., Izora, d. Oct. 14, 1863, age 17. He d. 
in Lynn May 21, 1.892.. 

Joseph L. Cobnrn, s. of Henry D., m. Mary E., dau. 
of George W.'Maynard, Oct. 18, i860; he was a shoe- 
maker; lived on his father's place; he d. Nov. 26, 
1883. Had Cora Mabel, b. Dec. 27, 1864, d. March 
3, 1872; William Henry, b. Oct. 5, 1874; Roscoe E., 
b. Jan. 19, 1882. 

William Coburn, bro. of Henry D., m. Catherine, 
dau. of Daniel Sawyer of Bolton, in 1836; she d. 
March 2, 1852, age 36 yrs. ; m., 2d, Ann Maley; slie 
d. June 5, 1866. He d. March 25, 1876, at 63; lived 
at various places. 

COLLINS. 

John Collins, b. in Ireland ; worked several years in 
Northboro ; finally settled on the Joel Proctor place 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 329 

in the northwest part of this town; he d. Oct. 20, 
1887; wife, Mary A., d. Aug. 2, 1886. Had James, 
b. : John, b. Aug. 2, 1863. 

John Collins, Jr., m. :Mary A. :McNulty April 22, 
1890: he retains the homestead. Had John F., b. 
March 27, 1891, d. Aug. 25, 1891 ; James R., b. May 
10, 1892; Benjamin H., b. May 26, 1894. 

CONANT. 

Josiali Conant m. Lucy Harris of Concord; lived in 
the Amos Sawyer house ; he was the most thorough 
millwright of this region ; he had a shop and water 
power on land now owned by Granville Butler. Had 
Harriet A., b. Oct. 19, 1814, d. April 19, 1884, unm.; 
Lucy Ann, b. Oct. 18, 18 16, m. Levi Houghton; 
William Franklin, b. vSept. 14, 1 8 18 ; Mary, b. May 
29, 1825, m. Franklin INIoore of Monson. He d. June 
10, 1848, age 57; wid. d. July 17, 1875, age 86. 

William F. Conant, s. of Josiah, m. Mary A. Bur- 
dett of Clinton; she d. June 30, 1855; he m., 2d, 
IMarv Houghton of Bolton; they left one child, 
Arthur; he lived on the place now owned by Zoheth 
B. Woodbury; built that house; he was a good mill- 
wright and put in many water wheels. He d. Aug. 
.21, 1882; Mary, wid., d. in Pawtucket, R. L, 1884. 

COOLIDGE. 

John Coolidgc is counted ancestor of those in this 
vicinity; he was in Watertown in 1636. 

Moses Coolidgc bought house and land of Benjamin 
Baker at north end of Gates" pond in 1779; sold to 



330 HISTORY OF THE 

Joel Fosgate in 1795 ; Joseph Howe once owned the 
premises; no other record. 

StcpJioi Coolidgc, m., May 31, 1785, Lavina, dau. of 
Samuel Jones, Jr. ; he lived on the place now owned 
by Frank H. Grossman. Had Luther, b. Jan. 9, 
1786; Caleb, b. Dec. 21, 1787; Sally, b. Sept. 29, 
1789; John B., b. Aug. 29, 1791 ; Merrick, b. Jan. 13, 
1794. Wife, Lavina, d. ; m., 2d, Betsey Wetherbee 
Sept. I, 1818. 

Caleb Coolidge, s. of Stephen, m. vSophia, dau. of 
Martyn Newton of Northboro. Had Albert, b. Jan. 
7, 1818; Henry, b. June 22, 18 19; Merrick, b. April 
12, 1821; Amory, b. Oct. 11, 1823. Caleb d. in 
Berlin in 1824. The s., Merrick, at two yrs. old 
strayed from home at dusk; all the neighbors were 
searching the brooks and woods through the night ; 
next day hundreds came together; the child was 
found at the "Fountains," near present home of N. 
]\L Allen, about i o'clock, with chilled and swollen 
limbs, but soon recovered. Albert d. in Worcester 
in 1884; Henry went to Michigan, d. in 1893; Mer- 
rick lived on the Taylor ^laynard place in Northboro, 
m. Mary Ann Stone Nov. 27, 185 1; he d. Oct. 11^ 
1888 ; had three children ; Amory lived in Northboro 
was a seaman, d. in 1869. 

COTTING. 

JosiaJi totting, s. of Dr. Josiah of Southboro and 
descendant of Josiah who settled in Roxbury in 
1637, n^- Betsey, dau. of Capt. William Barnes, in 
1820. Had George Augustine, b. 1821 ; Sarah B., b. 
1823 ; Ella H., b. 1825 ; both daus. d. young. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 33 r 

George A. Cotting,^ Josiah,' m. Jerusha Vose of Sud- 
bury ; he settled first just over the line in Boylston, 
the first house west of George H. Barnes' ; thence 
rem. to Hudson, where he d. in 1892; they were 
mostly connected with Berlin ; he was a school teacher 
in his young-er days; was justice of the peace. This 
generous descendant has honorably erected a fine 
granite monument in our cemetery commemorative 
of his ancestry, ''Ex nno disce ouuies." Had no chil- 
dren. 

COULSON. 

/. EdnuDul Conlson, from Cambridge, Eng., m., April 
II, 1893, Carrie P., dau. of Ira Jones; lives on the 
Jones homestead. Had Cyril Edmund, b. March 4, 
1894. 

GROSSMAN. 

JoJui \V. Crossnian, s. of Abishur of Boylston, b. Jan. 

9, i8o6,m.. May 4, 1837, Evelina Phelps of Lancaster^ 
b. Nov., 1806; he lived on the place formerly occu- 
pied by Stephen Coolidge and now owned by his s., 
Frank H. Had one child d. in infancy; Frank H., 
b. Jan. 12, 1846. 

Frank H. Crossnian, s. of John W., m. LeliaM. Farwell 
of Fitchburg Jan. 12, 1870, dau. of Abel and Sarah; 
he is a machinist; worked some years in Fitchburg; 
is our present town clerk. Had Alice B., b. July 29,. 
1872, m. Ernest Bickford; Walter I., b. Nov. 5, 1874; 
Harrison A., b. Sept. 21, 1876; Agnes B., b. July 1 1, 
1882. The parents of wife, Lelia M., both d. here. 

JoJin F. CrossDian, an adopted s. of John W., b. Apr. 

10, 1843, ni- Annie M. Evans, dau. of Amos of Clinton;, 



332. HISrORY OF -J HE 

he lives on the Hudson road, next beyond ^rank H. ; 
was a soldier in the late war of Co. I, 36th Regt. 
Had Ernest L., b. May 17, 1870, m., Nov. 30, 1892, 
Sarah T. Phillips, res., Hudson ; Charles L., b. Dec. 
10, 1873, d. April 10, 1876; Charles E., b. Oct. 18, 
1881 ; Cora Bell, b. April 27, 1883; Alia B.. b. Dec. 
7, 1886. 

Peter Crossuiaii and wife, Elizabeth, were Quakers 
from Gloucester, R. I., 1785 ; he d. on the Sanderson 
Carter place in 1795. 

CROSIJV. 

Josiah Crosby, from vScotland, m. Seraphina, dau. of 
Samuel Brigham ; lived on the Dr. Daniel Brigham 
place; was a tailor. He d. here Sept. 15, 1866, age 
84 yrs. ; she d. in Nashua, N. H., 1870. Had Nancy, 
d. young; Josiah O., b. Feb. 28. 1830, was a soldier 
in the late war, lost an arm, is in the treasury depart- 
ment, Washington, D. C. ; William H., b. Dec. 26, 
I §33, lives in Washington, D. C, a proprietor of the 
National Hotel. 

CHRISTY. 

Rev. Albert Barnes Christy, s. of Dea. Moses Christy 
of Greenwich, Conn.; ordained here July, 1879; m., 
vSept 6, 1879, Wilhelmina Lindsey of Fairhaven, 
Conn. ; he was pastor of the Orthodox Congregational 
Church ; was dismissed in 1882 to answer a call to 
the church in Conway; later had pastorate of the 
Congregational Church, Hudson, Ohio, and now is 
settled in New ]Mexico. Had two children while 
here, Bertha and Martha Peters. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 333 

CLARKE. 

Rc7: Ebcr L. Clarke was res. hereabout 1830-40 
with family. Julius L. Clarke, late state auditor, 
was his s. Julius L. m. vSarah, dau. of Alvin vSaw- 
yer, May 27, 1840. 

CUTTING. 

George Cutting, s. of Asa of Templeton, m. Sarepta, 
dau. of Cornelius Moore of Lancaster, res. near Bol- 
ton depot. Had George H., b. July 26, 1837, m. 
Lavinia K., dau. of Capt. Silas Sawyer, res., Lancaster; 
Persis B., b. July 12, 1S40; Emily T., b. Dec. 20, 
1845; Oliver B., b. Aug. 18, 1848; Hannah L., b. 
Feb. 23, 185 1 ; Sarah L., b. June 12, 1853. Shed. 
July 20, 1854. 

DAKIN. 

Joel Deiki)!, from Sudbury, m., Nov. 30, 181 5, Betsey 
Powers, dau. of Capt. Henry; he was a partner with 
Caleb Houghton in the wire drawing business. 

DAII.KV. 

Ebenezer Dailey, b. Oct. 29, 1823, s. of Gideon, m. 
Elizabeth (Babcock) Wheeler, dau. of Ephraim Bab- 
cock, wid. of Joel L. Wheeler, Nov. 29, i860; is a 
carpenter; lives in the west part on the Winship 
place; came here in 1866. Had Cora A., b. Jan. 6,. 
1862, ra. William E. Smith April 21, 1886; Alice, b. 
Sept., 1863, m. Sullivan Stevens; Edward E., b. 
April I, 1866; Mary E., b. Jan. 15, 1868, m. Wil- 
liam Whitman. Mr. Dailey was in the late war 
in Co. F, 13th Regt., Mass. Vols. 



334 HISTORY OF THE 

DAVIS. 

George C. Davis and family res. here about 1870, 
lie built the house now owned by John Burke, north 
of the Central Mass. railroad, northwest of Carter- 
ville; had four children; present res.. Hudson. 

I>AV. 

Jo/ill L. Day, s. of Isaac of Southboro, b. April 10, 
1843, m. Julia A., dau. of George F. Wheeler, April 
5. 1866: came to Berlin in 1869; lives on the place 
lately occupied by his father-in-law ; he was out in 
service under two enlistments; is a musician and 
barber. Had Forest E., b. Dec. 23, 1866; Lewis E., 
b. July 3, 1869. 

Forest E. Day, s. of John L., m., Nov. I'j , 1889, 
Grace H., dau. of Sewell H. Merrill ; he is a provision 
-dealer; lives in the Bullard house. 

Lezcis E. Day, s. of John L.. m., Feb. 6, 1890, Alice 
P., dau. of Paul A. Randall, res., Fryville, Bolton. 
Had Myra A., b. July 22, 1890; Lena J., b. 1892. 

Milton Day, b. April 7, 1832, s. of Ambrose of 
Westfield. m., June 19, 1857. Joanna, dau. of Dea. 
John Parker; was a shoemaker and farmer, res. on 
Sawyer hill, where Willard G. Bruce now lives. He 
d. July I, 1889. 

DERBY. 

Alfreei C. Derby, b. in Randolph. Vt.. Aug. 13, 
1824. m.. May 15, 1856. Charlotte, dau. of Seth 
Fisher of Northfield. ^Lass., b. Feb. 10. 1836; he lived 
in Sterling about twelve years ; bought the Welcome 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



335 



Barnes place in 1874, where he still resides. Had 
Lizzie Jane, b. June 6, 1858. m. Clarence E. Spofford; 
Oliver Dexter, b. May 20, 1869, m. Eunice, dau. of 
Philo Bruce, Nov. 29, 189 1. 



DEWEY 



James M. Di'iccj,h. July 31, 1826, m. vSusan, dau. 
of Abel B. vStevens, May 14, 1873; she was b. Feb. 
18,1833. They moved here from Orange Oct. 9, 1884, 
and live on the Roswell Bliss place. 



DEXTER, 



John Dcxtir, Jr., bought the Bullard house and 
store in 1 796 of Moses Pollard ; sold same to Solomon 
Howe in 1 803 ; no record of family. 



DIXSMORE. 

Pcrlcy Diiisuwrc m. tiannah (roldthwait in 1831 ; he 
lived on the John Hudson place; later on the William 
Fry place. 

DUDLEY. 

Moses Dudley, s. of Benjamin of vSudbury, b. Nov. 

25, 181 1, m. Susan M. Bliss of Walpole, Mass., Dec. 
7, 1837; ^^ lived in the east part on the Willard 
Brigham place. Had Elizabeth N., b. May 28, 1839, 
d. young; Mary A., b. June 19, 1841, m. John L. 
Cashman; Luman B., b. March 9, 1843, ^- June 23, 
1858; Adelaide E., b. April 4, 1845, in. George W. 
Houghton; Martha A., b. June 29, 1847, m., Jan. 

26, 1867, Frank Pierce; George A., b. June 9, 1849, 



336 HISTORY OF THE 

m. Frances A. Goodwin, res., Hudson; Edward H.,. 
b. May 23, 1852, d. Jan. 8, 1868. jSIoses d. April 29, 
1891. 

PUGAN. 

MicJiacI J. Dugaii, from Bolton, b. July 12, 1869, s. 
of Thomas, m. Annie O. Malley of Clinton Dec. 25, 
1893 ; he settled on the Silas Greenlief farm in 1892. 
Had George Francis, b. Sept. 24, 1894. 

DUNN. 

Abncr C. Dunn, lived near the Marlboro line, 
east of the Lyman Morse place ; the road to his house 
was across Joseph Carley's place. 

EAGER. 

Augustus Eager of Westminster m. Lucv Ellen, 
dau. of Josiah Babcock; he d. ]\Iarch 24, 1871. Had 
Charles D., b. Jan. 27, 1861 ; William S., b. Jan. 28, 
1868; wid., Lucy E., m., 2d, George W. Ames, and 
s., W^illiam S., res. with her; he is a florist and a 
raiser of early vegetables ; unm. 

Char Us D. Eager, s. of Augustus, m. Lilla M., dau. 
of Pliny B. Southwick, ]\Iay 14, 1885 ; has been a 
provision dealer here, but now is living in Boston. 
Had Harold, b. Sept. 18, 1886, d. July 13, 1887; Mil- 
dred, b. April 29, 1889, d. June 23, 1890; Marion, b. 
Feb. 16, 1 89 1. Wife d. Feb. 25, 1893. 

EGERV. 

Nathan Egcry m. Sibella, dau. of Dr. Benjamin 
Nourse, in 1 797 ; he lived on the Chandler Carter 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 32 1 

Daniel H. Carter', Amory', Daniel"', Stanton', m. 
Lucy Ann, dan. of Leonard Hartwell, April 8, 1840; 
he settled first in the west part, on the place where 
Ebenezer Dailey now lives; rem. to Hopedale in 
1849; was one of the early members of the commu- 
nity; thence he returned to the homestead of his 
mother on Sawyer hill in 1863; went to Athol in 
1882; returned and bought the place where he now 
lives, in Carterville, in 1884; they have an adopted 
dau.. Flora Jane, who m. Benjamin vS. Walker, who 
res. with them. 

Oliver Carte?-', vSamuel', Daniel', Stanton', m. Polly 
Warner April 30, 1834; he lived on Barnes hill after 
he came to Berlin, on the place recently owned by S. 
S. Greenlief. Had by Polly, Oliver W., b. April 10, 
1836; Sarah F., b. Dec. 6, 1838. Wife, Polly, d. 
Feb. 28, 1842; m., 2d, Mary vSophia, dau. of Daniel 
Barnes, Feb. 8, 1848. Had by Mary Sophia, Mary 
Dilly, m., April 22, 1875, Dennis E. Wheeler of Ber- 
lin, res., Leominster; wSamuel Marshall, b. March 3, 
185 1, m., ^March 4, 1875, vSarah L., dau. of Silas S. 
Greenlief, res., Gardner; Julia B., b. Oct. 31, 1853; 
Everett M., b. March 8, 1858. He d. Jan. 31, 1871 ;, 
the family rem. to Lancaster. 

William Barnes Carter", Leonard', Daniel', Stanton', 
m. Mary Adella, dau. of Amos Sawyer, Jr., ; he set- 
tled in Georgia; wife, Mary, d. during the war; he 
returned with children. Had Addie Adella, b. July 
II, i858,m. George ^L Southwick; William A., b. Mar. 
4. 1861 ; m., 2d, July 12, 1870, Mary A. Fowler of 
Springfield; had Horace Choate, b. April 7, 1871. 
He now res. in Springfield ; is a music teacher. 



32 2 HISTORY OF THE 

Lewis L. Carter*, Lewis', Daniel', Stanton', ni., April 
5, 1849, Susan E. Phelps of Marlboro and dau. of 
Mrs. Paul Brigham ; he lives on the Thomas Brig-- 
ham farm in the west part. Had Sidney Brigham, 
b. Sept. 23, 1852; Lewis Paul, b. Jan. 17. 1856; 
Cora Lsabelle, b. June 17, i860, m. Feb. 21, 
1879, Calvin Hastings of Boylston; two children d. 
in infancy. 

Silas R. Cartcr\ Lewis', Daniel"', vStanton', m., July 
13, 1856, Emily Crowell of Barnard, Vt. ; he is 
station agent at the Old Colony railroad at the west 
part, and dealer in grain, coal and groceries. Had 
Willard Crowell, b. March 8, 1858; Eugene Francis 
and Eugenia Frances, twins, b. Aug. 12, i860, 
Eugenia F. d. ; Lucy A., b. Aug. i, 1862, m., Oct. 20, 
1 89 1, Albert R. Carter of Leominster; Silas Rolla, 
b. April 8, 1868; remains at home with his father. 

Ira O. Carter', s. of Lewis', Daniel"', vStanton", m. 
Susan F. Shattuck of Groton March 6, i860. Had 
two children, d. in infancy. He d. Feb. 13, 1885; 
wife d. Oct. 18, 1892. He was substantially a self-made 
man. Aside from the meagre advantages of the west 
school, he attended Mr. Bride's school one term and 
was at the New Ipswich Academy six months ; after, 
wards went to Kentucky and was a professor in 
Paducah College; came home on the breaking out 
of the war; later attended the Harvard Law School 
six months, and then engaged in the practice of the 
law at Arlington; was judge of the District Court at 
the time of his death. 

Jonas H. Carter', Lewis', Daniel', Stanton', m. An- 
netta L., dau. of Lemuel R. Draper of Hopkinton, 




SILAS R. CARTER. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



323 



Nov. 30, 1 87 1 ; he remains on the homestead of his 
father. Had Lemuel D., b. Oct. 25, 1873; Eva L., 
b. April 6, 18S1 ; Lucie H., b. Oct. 7, 1884. 

Sidney B. Carter", Lewis L'., Lewis', Daniel', Stan- 
ton', m. J. Etta, dan. of George W. Fosgate, Dec. 25, 
1878; he lives in the west part on the Clinton road 
in house he built for himself ; he is a carpenter. 
Had Ruea E., b. Feb. 16, 1887; George L., b. March 
16, 1891. 

Lewis P. Carter, s. of Lewis L., m. Ada E., dau. of 
James ]\L vSimonds, July 2, 1881 ; is a machinist, res., 
Worcester. Had L. Herbert, b. Jan. 31, 1885; 
Ralph S., b. Dec. 12, 1887. d. Nov. 26, 1889; Irving 
E., b. Aug. 22, 1889; Milton P., b. Sept. 4, 1892. 
Wife d. 1 894. 

Willard C. Carter, s. of Silas R., m., Nov. 17, 1880, 
Jennie F., dau. of Josiah Moore, res., Clinton; station 
agent of Old Colony Railroad. 

Eugene F. Carter, s. of vSilas R., m., Feb., 1891, 
Oeorgiana, dau. of Theodore Hendricks, res., Nor- 
walk, Conn. 

Elbridge G. Carter', Danforth', Daniel", Stanton', 
m., Aug. 4, 1850, Betsey C, dau. of Asa Carter; she 
d. Sept. 20, 1850; m., 2d, July 20, 1852, Georgiana, 
dau. of George Maynard. res., Hudson. Two chil- 
dren: George L, b. Mar. 5, 1854, Leona L., b. May 2, 
1850. 

Thomas Steadman Carter , Danforth', Daniel', wStan- 
ton', m., Sept. 16, 1863, Mary Leland of Sherborn, 
res., Hudson. 



324 HISTORY OF THE 

Sa)ui/crson Carter, Stanton', m., Nov. 10, 1788^ 
Hannah Allen, dan. of Jotham Maynard, 2d ; he 
settled on the farm later known as the John M. 
Kelley place, the house probably the oldest in town. 
Had Luther, b. Jan. 15, 1790; Hannah, b. Feb. 28, 
1793, m. Warren Moore; Zilpah, b. July 9. 1798, m. 
Daniel Bartlett ; Chloe, b. April 12, 181 2, d. vSept. 27, 
1873, unm. He was deacon of the old Unitarian 
Church; d. Aug. 30, 1841 ; wid. d. July 9, 1859. 

Luther Cartir\ Sanderson"', Stanton', m., March 24, 
181 1, Lucy, dau. of Christopher B. Bigelow ; he set- 
tled first on the place now owned by William T. 
Babcock, thence rem. to Carterville and was the 
founder thereof ; was the inventor of plastering" 
houses on the outside. Had by wife. Ivory, b. Feb. 
29, 181 2 ; Betsey, b. March 20, 18 14, m, Ira Brigham, 
she d.. April 12, 1856; Hannah, b. Feb. 17, 18 18, m. 
Lewis H. Barnard; Persis, b. March 15. 1821, m. 
Thomas Pollard; Lucy, b. Oct. 27, 1825, m. Ezra 
S. Moore. Wife, Lucy, d. Nov. 27, 1850. He m., 
2d, Betsey Andrews, wid. of Asa of Boylston ; he d. 
Aug. 8, 1865. 

Ivory Cartcr\ Luther', vSanderson\ Stanton', m., 
Nov. II, 1833, Olive Smith, sister to Riley Smith 
and Mrs. Israel Sawyer ; he lived in Carterville, 
where his s., I. F. Carter, has since occupied. Had 
Laura E., b. Aug. 22, 1834, m. John A. Merrill, 
d. Aug. 28, 1866; Israel Francis, b. Feb. 6, 1839. 
Ivory d. Nov. 6, 18 50; Olive, wid., d. Jan. 30, 1887. 

Israel Franeis Carter", Ivory', Luther', vSanderson% 
Stanton', m. Susan j\I. Wood, dau. of Alonzo 
Wood of Marlboro; he continued on his father's 




REMAINS OF OLDEST iiuUSE. 

( SANDERSON CARTER I'LACE.) 



TOWN' OF BERLIN 325 

place ; was a soldier in the late war, and was partially- 
deaf after his return from service. Had Emma E., 
b. Sept. 16, 1861, m. Charles H. Green Jan. ii, 1880, 
d. Dec. 4, 1885 ; Laura M., b. March 25, 1870. He 
d. Feb. 19, 1893; wife, Susan, d. April i, 1887. 

Stanton Carter", Stanton', m., April 5, 1797, Chloe 
Maynard, sister of the wife of Sanderson Carter ; 
settled in Stockton, Me. Had Asa, b. March 10, 
1798. Wife, Chloe, d. 1799; m., 2d, Dec. 10, 1800, 
Abigail Bride, dau. of James. 

Asa Carter, Stanton', Stanton', m., Sarah A 
Lamphire ; she d., he m., 2d, Eleanor Carlton of 
Deer Isle, ^Nle.; they came thence to Berlin in 
1848 with nine daughters. He d. Oct. 3, 1850, at 
53 vrs. ; she d. Dec. 19, 1876, at 75 yrs. Children: 
Eleanor C, b. Mar. 17, 1824. m., Aug. 16, 1846, 
Riley Smith; Susan B., b. Oct. 23, 1825, m., Nov. 28, 
1846, Joseph W. Merrill; she d. July 2, i849;Thirza 
A., b. Nov. 4, 1827, m. Seth W. Merrill, 1844; she 
d. in Berlin Nov. 4, 1850; Betsey C, b. 1830. m. 
Elbridge Carter Aug. 4, 1850; she d. Sept. 20, 1850; 
Margaret S., b. Oct. 2. 1833, m., July 25, 1850, 
Phineas Stratton ; m., 2d, May 17, 1861, D. W. 
Warner, res., Boylston; Huldah A., b. Dec. 26, 1835, 
m., Jan. 2, 1853, Seth W. Merrill, res., Hudson; 
Mary E., b. Feb. 14, 1838, m., May i, 1856, Charles 
T. Vinals; she d. Nov., 1865; Zilpah M., b. 
May 6, 1840, m., :SIarch 15, 1857, Gustavus 
Smith; she d. Nov. 23, 1857; Julia Alice, b. 
Nov. 26, 1843, m., Sept. 3, 1862, James G. Ramsdell 
of Philadelphia. They have, besides these, a dau., 
Chloe, m. Thomas Lamphire of Lubec, Me. They 



326 HISrORY OF THE 

had three sons killed in the army ; had also a s., Asa^ 
in vStockton, Me. ; Jemima, dau. of Stanton, vSr., m. 
Levi Ellis of Stockton. 



CARTWRIGHT, 

Francis James Cartivright, b. Aug". 8, 1787, in Co, 
Derby, Eng., m. Mary Barker; came over in 1844;. 
two sons preceded him, viz.: Daniel, b. Nov. 18, 
1815; Algernon, b. March 31, 18 18; Elizabeth, b, 
1827, came over with parents, d. May 9, 1874; 
Frances J., d. Oct. 7, 1871, at 84; wife d. Nov. 20,. 
1868, at 82; lived last with Algernon. 

Daniel Cartxvright, s. of James F., m.. Salina, dan., 
of James Horsley, Co. Derby, Eng., 1838; was a 
carpenter; lived in the south part. Had Thomas, b> 
July 3, 1839; Nathaniel H., b. Oct. 19, 1841 ; James, 
b. Dec. 24, 1843, d. Jan. 12, 1861 ; Charles D., b. 
April 29, 1847; Eliza A., b. Sept. 28, 1849, ^- J^^i, 
18, 1869; Lucy E., b. Nov. 19, 1851, m. George L> 
Howe; Mary S., b. Sept. 4, 1854, d. July 14, 1856, 
He d. Dec. 28, 1890; she d. j\Iarch 23, 1892. 

Algernon Cartzvrig/it, s. of James F., m. Sarah E.,, 
dau. of Lewis Carter, March 31, 1858; a custom 
shoemaker; res. on the Hudson road, place before 
owned by Smith Dyar. Had Mar\% b. July 15, 
1859, m. A. F. Pierce June 10, i879r vSarah E., b. 
June 20, 1 86 1, m. Samuel H. Wheeler of Bolton 
June 24, 1886; Walter A., b. vSept. 23, 1863, m. 
Annie L. Orr of Lynn; James L,, b. March 15, 1865,. 
m. Oct. I, 1890, Hattie F. Pike, res., Hudson; Annie 
S., b. Nov. 27, 1869. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 327 

Nathaniel H. Cartwright, s. of Daniel, m. Abbie, 
dau. of William George Hapgood, March i, 1865 ; is 
a shoemaker, res., South Berlin, house built bv Alonzo 
F. Howe. Had Cora Belle, b. April 25,1 866, d. young ; 
Fred H., b. March 13, 1867; George Herbert and 
Harry Elroy, twins, b. Oct. 19, 1874. The three sons 
excel as musicians. 



CARVELLE. 

Charles W. Carve lie, s. of Daniel W., b. Feb. 23, 
185 1, m., July 31, 1869, Margaret F., dau. of Nathan 
Stowell, b. June 27, 1848; moved to Berlin in 1877 
on the Samuel J. Moore place; in 1887 came to the 
old Daniel Carter farm. Had Wesley D., b. June 30, 
1873; Laverna C, b. Jan. 27, 1875, d. Dec. 30, 
1879; Nathan S., b. Aug. 23, 1879. 

CHAMBERLIN. 

spencer C. Chamberlin from Thetford, Vt., m. Hen- 
rietta J., dau. of Henry Hastings; w^as a shoemaker; 
was in the service in the late war in Co. I, 36th 
Regt. ; rem. to New Bedford, where he still resides. 
Had by Henrietta, Ola L., b. April 11, 1859, d. Nov. 
4, 1887; Spencer C, b. June 21, 1862; Erwin H., b. 
Aug. 29, 1865, m. in 1893, res.. New Bedford; Lula 
k., b. May 15, 1868, m. and d. in New Bedford. 
Wife d. Aug. 12, 1884 ; m., 2d, in New Bedford. 

Spencer Carlton Chamber lin, Jr., s. of Spencer C, m. 
Minnie E. Fay, dau. of Nahum W., Jan. 26, 1893 ^ 
he is our mail carrier and lives in the Centre. 



328 HISTORY OF THE 

COBURN. 

Henry D. Cobnrn, s. of Leonard Coburn of Lynn 
and grands, of Job of Dracut, was b. Aug. 16, 18 14, 
m., Nov. 13, 1833, Hannah, dau. of Daniel vSawyer 
of Bolton; he settled on the place now occupied by 
his s. Joseph's wid., Mar}' E. Coburn; he was a shoe- 
maker; had a shop near his house, where he carried 
on the business of bottoming shoes. Had by wife, 
Hannah, Hannah M., b. March 5, 1835, m. Ansel L. 
Snow; vSusanna, b. March 8, 1838, d. young; Joseph 
L., b. March 10, 1840; William H., b. Feb. 16, 1842; 
enlisted in the army under age, and d. of wounds 
received in the battle of the "Wilderness. Wife, 
Hannah, d. Dec. 19, 1866, age 55 ; he m., 2d, April 
27, 1870, Mrs. vSarah H., wid. of Amos Sawyer; an 
adopted dau., Izora, d. Oct. 14, 1863, age 17. He d. 
in Lynn ]\Iay 21, 1892. 

Joseph L. Coburn, s. of Henry D., m. ]\Iary E., dau. 
of George W. Maynard, Oct. 18, i860; he was a shoe- 
maker; lived on his father's place; he d. Nov. 26, 
1883. Had Cora Mabel, b. Dec. 27, 1864, d. March 
3, 1872; William Henry, b. Oct. 5, 1874; Roscoe E., 
b. Jan. 19, 1882. 

William Coburn, bro. of Henry D., m. Catherine, 
dau. of Daniel vSawyer of Bolton, in 1836; she d. 
March 2, 1852, age 36 yrs. ; m., 2d, Ann Maley; she 
d. June 5, 1866. He d. March 25, 1876, at 63; lived 
at various places. 

COLLINS. 

JoJin Collins, b. in Ireland ; worked several years in 
Northboro ; finally settled on the Joel Proctor place 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 329 

in the northwest part of this town; he d. Oct. 20, 
1887; wife, Mary A., d. Aug. 2, 1886. Had James, 
b. ; John, b. Aug. 2, 1863. 

JoJui Collins, Jr., m. IVIar)- A. jMcXulty April 22, 
1890: he retains the homestead. Had John F., b. 
March 27, 1891, d. Aug. 25, 1891 ; James R., b. May 
10, 1892; Benjamin H., b. May 26, 1894. 

CONANT. 

Josiali Coiumt m. Lucy Harris of Concord; lived in 
the Amos Sawyer house ; he was the most thorough 
'millwright of this region; he had a shop and water 
power on land now owned by Granville Butler. Had 
Harriet A., b. Oct. 19, 1814. d. April 19, 1884, unm.; 
Lucy Ann, b. Oct. 18, 18 16, m. Levi Houghton; 
William Franklin, b. Sept. 14, 1818; ]Mary, b. May 
29, 1825, m. Franklin Moore of Monson. Fled. June 
10, 1848, age 57; wid. d. July 17, 1875, age 86. 

\Villiai)i F. Co]iaiii, s. of Josiah, m. Mary A. Bur- 
dett of Clinton; she d. June 30. 1855; he m., 2d, 
Mary Houghton of Bolton; they left one child, 
Arthur; he lived on the place now owned by Zoheth 
B. Woodbury; built that house; he was a good mill- 
wright and put in many water wheels. He d. Aug. 
21, 1882; Mary, wid., d. in Pawtucket, R. L, 1884. 

COOLIDGE. 

John Coolidgc is counted ancestor of those in this 
vicinity; he was in Watertown in 1636. 

Moses Coolidgc bought house and land of Benjamin 
Baker at north end of Oates' pond in 1779; sold to 



330 H1>T0RY OF THE 

Joel Fosgate in 1795; Joseph Howe once owned the- 
premises ; no other record. 

Stephen Coolidge, m., May 31, 1785, Lavina, dan. of 
Samuel Jones, Jr. ; he lived on the place now owned 
by Frank H. Grossman. Had Luther, b. Jan. 9, 
1786; Caleb, b. Dec. 21, 1787; Sally, b. Sept. 29, 
1789; John B., b. Aug. 29, 1791 ; Merrick, b. Jan. 13, 
1794. Wife, Lavina, d. ; m., 2d, Betsey Wetherbee 
vSept. I, 18 18. 

Caleb Coolidgc, s. of Stephen, m. Sophia, dau. of 
Martyn Newton of Northboro. Had Albert, b. Jan. 
7, 18 18; Henry, b. June 22, 18 19; Merrick, b. April 
12, 1821; Amory, b. Oct. 11, 1823. Caleb d. in 
Berlin in 1824. The s., Merrick, at two yrs. old 
strayed from home at dusk; all the neighbors were 
searching the brooks and woods through the night ; 
next day hundreds came together; the child was. 
found at the "Fountains," near present home of N. 
^L Allen, about i o'clock, with chilled and swollen 
limbs, but soon recovered. Albert d. in Worcester 
in 1884; Henry went to Michigan, d. in 1893 ; Mer- 
rick lived on the Taylor Maynard place in Northboro, 
m. Mary Ann Stone Nov. 27, 185 i; he d. Oct. 11, 
1888 ; had three children ; Amory lived in NorthborO' 
was a seaman, d. in 1869. 

COTTING. 

Josiah Cotting, s. of Dr. Josiah of Southboro and 
descendant of Josiah who settled in Roxbury in 
1637, i^- Betsey, dau. of Capt. William Barnes, in 
1820. Had George Augustine, b. 1821 ; Sarah B., b. 
1823 ; Ella H., b. 1825 ; both daus. d. young. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 33 r 

George A. Cotting,^ Josiah,' m. Jerusha Vose of Sud- 
bury ; he settled first just over the line in Boylston, 
the first house west of George H. Barnes'; thence 
rem. to Hudson, where he d. in 1892; they were 
mostly connected with Berlin ; he was a school teacher 
in his younger days; was justice of the peace. This 
generous descendant has honorably erected a fine 
granite monument in our cemetery commemorative 
of his ancestry, ''Ex uno discc onincsr Had no chil- 
dren. 

COULSON. 

/. Edimind Con /sou, from Cambridge, Eng., m., April 
II, 1893, Carrie P., dau. of Ira Jones; lives on the 
Jones homestead. Had Cyril Edmund, b. ^March 4, 
1894. 

GROSSMAN. 

Joliii ]]\ Crossjiian, s. of Abishur of Boylston, b. Jan. 

9, i8o6,m.. May 4, 1837, Evelina Phelps of Lancaster, 
b. Nov., 1806; he lived on the place formerly occu- 
pied by Stephen Coolidge and now owned by his s., 
Frank H. Had one child d. in infancy; Frank H., 
b. Jan. 12, 1846. 

Frank H. Crossmaii, s. of John W., m. LeliaM. Farwell 
of Fitchburg Jan. 12, 1870, dau. of Abel and Sarah; 
he is a machinist; worked some years in Fitchburg; 
is our present town clerk. Had Alice B., b. July 29,. 
1872, m. Ernest Bickford; Walter I., b. Nov. 5, 1874; 
Harrison A., b. vSept. 21, 1876; Agnes B., b. July 1 1, 
1882. The parents of wife, Lelia M., both d. here, 

John F. Crossman, an adopted s. of John W., b. Apr. 

10, i843,m. Annie M. Evans, dau. of Amos of Clinton; 



332 HIsrORV OF J HE 

he lives on the Hudson road, next beyond ^■'''rank H. ; 
was a soldier in the late war of Co. I, 36th Re<^t. 
Had Ernest L., b. May 17, 1870, m,, Nov. 30, 1892, 
vSarah T. Phillips, res.. Hudson ; Charles L., b. Dec. 
10, 1873, d. April 10, 1876; Charles E., b. Oct. 18, 
1881 ; Cora Bell, b. April 27, 1883; Alia H.. b. Dec. 
7, 1886. 

Piter Crossuian and wife, Elizabeth, were (Juakers 
from Gloucester, R. I., 1785 ; he d. on the vSanderson 
Carter place in 1795. 

CROSBV. 

JosiaJi Crosby, from Scotland, m. Seraphina, dau. of 
Samuel Brigham ; lived on the Dr. Daniel Brigham 
place; was a tailor. He d. here vSept. 15, 1866, age 
84 yrs. ; she d. in Nashua, N. H., 1870. Had Nancy, 
d. young; Josiah Q., b. Feb. 28, 1830, was a soldier 
in the late war, lost an arm, is in the treasury depart- 
ment, Washington, D. C. ; William H., b. Dec. 26, 
1833, lives in Washington, D. C, a proprietor of the 
National Hotel. 

CHRISTV. 

Rev. Albert Barnes Christy, s. of Dea. Moses Christy 
of Greenwich, Conn.; ordained here July, 1879; m., 
Sept 6, 1879, Wilhelmina Lindsey of Fairhaven, 
Conn. ; he was pastor of the Orthodox Congregational 
Church ; was dismissed in 1882 to answer a call to 
the church in Conway; later had pastorate of the 
Congregational Church, Hudson, Ohio, and now is 
settled in New Mexico. Had two children while 
here. Bertha and Martha Peters. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 333 

CLARKE. 

Ri'v. Ehcr L. Clarke was res. hereabout 1830-40- 
with family. Julius L. Clarke, late state auditor, 
was his s. Julius L. m. Sarah, dau. of Alvin vSaw- 
yer. May 2"], 1840. 

CUTTING. 

George Cutting, s. of Asa of Templeton, m. Sarepta, 
dau. of Cornelius Moore of Lancaster, res. near Bol- 
ton depot. Had George H., b. July 26, 1837, m. 
Lavinia K.. dau. of Capt. Silas Sawyer, res.. Lancaster; 
Persis B., b. July 12, 1840; Emily T., b. Dec. 20,. 
1845; Oliver B., b. Aug. 18, 1848; Hannah L., b. 
Feb. 23, 1851; vSarah L., b. June 12, 1853. Shed. 
July 20, 1854. 

DAKIX. 

Joel Dakiii, from Sudburv, m., Nov. 30, 1 8 i 5, Betsey 
Powers, dau. of Capt. Henry; he was a partner with 
Caleb Houghton in the wire drawino- business, 

DAII.KV. 

Elhiiezer Dailey, b. Oct. 29, 1823, s. of Gideon, m. 
Elizabeth (Babcock) Wheeler, dau. of Ephraim Bab- 
cock, wid. of Joel L. Wheeler, Nov. 29, i860; is a 
carpenter; lives in the west part on the Winship 
place; came here in 1866. Had Cora A., b. Jan. 6,. 
1862, m. William E. Smith April 21, 1886; Alice, b. 
Sept., 1863, m. Sullivan Stevens; Edward E., b. 
April I, 1866; Mary E., b. Jan. 15, 1868, m. Wil- 
liam Whitman. ]Mr. Dailey was in the late war 
in Co. F, 13th Regt., Mass. Vols. 



334 HISTORV OF THE 

DAVIS. 

George C. Davis and family res. here about 1870, 
he built the house now owned by John Burke, north 
of the Central Mass. railroad, northwest of Carter- 
ville; had four children; present res., Hudson. 

DAY. 

Jo/ni L. Day, s. of Isaac of Southboro, b. April 10, 
1843, ni. Julia A., dau. of George F. Wheeler, April 
5 , 1 866 ; came to Berlin in 1 869 ; lives on the place 
lately occupied by his father-in-law ; he was out in 
service under two enlistments; is a musician and 
barber. Had F'orest E., b. Dec. 23, 1866; Lewis E., 
b. July 3, 1869. 

Forest E. Day, s. of John L., m,, Nov. 27, 1889, 
Grace H., dau. of Sewell H. Merrill; he is a provision 
dealer; lives in the Bullard house. 

Lcivis E. Day, s. of John L.. m., Feb. 6, 1890, Alice 
P., dau. of Paul A. Randall, res., Fryville, Bolton. 
Had Myra A., b. July 22, 1890; Lena J., b. 1892. 

Milton Day, b. April 7, 1832, s. of Ambrose of 
Westfield, m., June 19, 1857, Joanna, dau. of Dea. 
John Parker; was a shoemaker and farmer, res. on 
Sawyer hill, where Willard G. Bruce now lives. He 
d. July I, 1889. 

DERBY. 

Alfred C. Derby, b. in Randolph, Vt., Aug. 13, 
1824, m., May 15, 1856, Charlotte, dau. of Seth 
Fisher of Northfield, Mass., b. Feb. 10, 1836; he lived 
in Sterling about twelve years ; bought the Welcome 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 335 

Barnes place in 1874, where he still resides. Had 
Lizzie Jane, b. June 6, 1858. m. Clarence E. vSpofford; 
•Oliver Dexter, b. May 20, 1869, m. Eunice, dau. of 
Philo Bruce, Nov. 29, 1891. 

DEWEY. 

James M. Dewey, h. ]\.\\y 2,1, 1826, m. vSusan, dau. 
■of Abel B. Stevens, May 14, 1873; she was b. Feb. 
18, 1833. They moved here from Orange Oct. 9, 1884, 
and live on the Roswell Bliss place. 

DEXTER. 

John Dexter, Jr., bought the Bullard house and 
store in 1 796 of Moses Pollard ; sold same to Solomon 
Howe in 1803 ; no record of family. 

DINSMORE. 

Perley Diiisviore m. Hannah Goldthwait in 1831 ; he 
lived on the John Hudson place ; later on the William 
Fry place. 

DUDLEY. 

Jl/oses Dudley, s. of Benjamin of Sudbury, b. Nov. 

25, 181 1, m. vSusan M. Bliss of Walpole, Mass., Dec. 
7, 1837; h^ lived in the east part on the Willard 
Brigham place. Had Elizabeth N., b. May 28, 1839, 
d. young; Mary A., b. June 19, 1841, m. John L. 
Cashman; Luman B., b. March 9, 1843, d. June 23, 
1858; Adelaide E., b. April 4, 1845, m. George W. 
Houghton; Martha A., b. June 29, 1847, m., Jan. 

26, 1867, Frank Pierce; George A., b. June 9, 1849, 



336 HISTORY OF THE 

m. Prances A. Goodwin, res., Hudson; Edward H.,. 
b. May 23, 1852, d. Jan. 8, 1868. Moses d. April 29, 
1 89 1 , 

DUG AX. 

Michael J. Diii^aii, from Bolton, b. July 12, 1869, s. 
of Thomas, m. Annie O. Malley of Clinton Dec. 25, 
1893 ; he settled on the Silas Greenlief farm in 1892. 
Had George Francis, b. Sept. 24, 1894. 

DUNN. 

Abncr C. Duiui, lived near the Marlboro line, 
east of the Lyman ]\Iorse place ; the road to his house 
was across Joseph Carley's place. 

EAGER. 

Augustus Eager of Westminster m. Lucy Ellen, 
dau. of Josiah Babcock ; he d. March 24, 1871. Had 
Charles D., b. Jan. 27, 1861 ; WilHam S., b. Jan. 28, 
1868; wid., Lucy E., m., 2d, George W. Ames, and 
s., William S., res. with her; he is a florist and a 
raiser of early vegetables; unm. 

Charles D. Eai^er, s. of Augustus, m. Lilla M., dau. 
of Pliny B. Southwick, ]SLay 14, 1885 ; has been a 
provision dealer here, but now is living in Boston. 
Had.Harold, b. Sept. 18, 1886, d. July 13, 1887; Mil- 
dred, b. April 29, 1889, d. June 23, 1890; Marion, b. 
Feb. 16, 1 89 1. Wife d. Feb. 25, 1893. 

EGERV. 

Nathati Egery m. Sibella, dau. of Dr. Benjamin 
Nourse, in 1 797 ; he lived on the Chandler Carter 








f"'' 


>^ 


V 




.^^KkMff^^' 




mm* ■ 






OLIVER FOSOATK. 
GEO. W. KO.SGATE. 
JOHN G. FOSGATE. 



NIKS. H kK. FOSGATK. 
MEM RICK KEl-TO.N. 
Ll'KE KOSGAIE. 
JACOH KKI.TO.N. 



MRS. <;. \V. 10.>)GATE. 

JOEL 11. lr)SGATE. 
REUHEN r. KOSGATE. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



337 



place when the old house stood on the premises. 
Had Nabby, b. Nov. 13, 1797: Daniel N., b. Nov. 26, 
1805 ; no other record. 

ELLIS. 

PJiilo J/. Ellis and wife, Charlotte, from Boston, 
succeeded Jonathan D. Meriam, Esq., on the present 
"Berlin Hotel" place; no record of their deaths. Had 
George S. Abbott, b. Oct. 16, 1843, m. Amada, dau. 
of John Wheeler, res., Leominster; he was a soldier 
in the late war on the quota of Berlin. Philo had 
two other children, viz., George M. and Mary Jane, 
who d. within two days of each other, Feb. 14 and 
Feb. 16, 1842. 

EM). 

John End, a native of Ireland, came to Berlin in 
1856, m. Ellen McCarty in 185 i ; lived on the Clinton 
road, next to the shoe shop. Had Mary C, b. Feb. 
26, 1852; vSarah, b. Oct. 25, 1853; Thomas, b. Jan, 4, 
1855, ^- J"ne 15, 1882; Mary E., b. July 19, 1857; 
Ellen L., b. Aug. 8, 1859; Caroline M., b. Sept. 8, 
1861 ; Daniel F., b. Oct. 20, 1863; Ann J., b. Feb. 7, 
1865, d. May 20, 1883. He d. vSept. 8, 1882, at 74. 

FAIRBANKS. 

Ephraini Eairbanks, who settled on our territory, 
was a descendant of Jonas Fairbanks, one of the first 
proprietors of Lancaster. This Jonas had a s., Jabez, 
b. 1670, who was noted as an Indian fighter and a 
terror to their tribes; he had good reasons; his 

23 



33 S HISTORY OF THE 

father and brother Joshua were killed in the Lancas- 
ter massacre of 1676, when Mrs. Rowlandson was 
carried away a captive, and also in 1697, his s., 
Jonas, and dan., Grace, together with another bro., 
Jonathan, were killed, hence we may well believe 
that Jabez's native energy was terribly urged by his 
childhood reminiscences and manhood experiences ; 
he settled on the homestead of his father in South 
Lancaster. Had a s., Jabez, b. 1694, who was the 
father of our Ephraim, b. 1724; this Jabe/. was prob- 
ably the first settler on the I^^iirbanks place hereafter 
described. 

Ephraim Fairbanks m. Achsah ; he Hved 

in the north part of the town; his house stood at the 
corner of the vSouthwick road with the main road to 
Bolton; he was a prominent and an influential citizen 
of the town in all its early history; he d. Nov. 18, 
1799, and was buried in Bolton old cemetery. Had 
Thankful, b. Jan. 31, 1746, d. in Berlin unm. ; Mar}% 
b. Feb. 4, 1748, d. 1765; Achsah, b. March 18, 1751, 
d. young; Ephraim, b. June 28, 1753, m. Prudence 
Wilder in 1774; Jabez, b. Nov. 22, 1755 ; Hephzibah, 
b. Feb. 26, 1758 ; Jonathan, b. Feb. 26, 1761 ; Kesiah, 
b. April 26, 1763, m. James Goddard, 2d; Manasseh, 
b. Dec. 20, 1765; Caleb, b. July 30, 1768, m. Molly, 
dau. of Dea. James Goddard, res., Canada. 

Ephraim Fairbanks', Ephraim', m. Prudence Wilder 
Nov. 21, 1774. Had Molly, b. Jan. 7, 1776; Ephraim, 
b. June II, 1778 ; no other record. 

Ephraim Fairbanks', Ephraim^ Ephraim', m. Lucy, 
dau. of William Babcock, vSr., May 30, 1807. Had 
Nancy A., b. Dec. 4, 1808; Charles P., b. April 15, 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



339 



1810; Sarah M., b. 18 14. The family skipped to 
Canada. 

Jabcz Fairbanks", Ephraim', m., July 27, 1778, Lucy, 
dau. of Col. vSilas Bailey; they lived between Leom- 
inster and Westminster. Had by Lucy, Lucy and 
Silas. This Silas was father to our Col. Silas B. 
Fairbanks, who settled in Hudson. Wife, Lucy, 
d. ; he m., 2d, Betty, dau. of Judge Samuel Baker; 
by her had Jabez and Polly. He d. about 1 794. 

Jonathan Fairbanks", Ephraim', m. Parna, dau. of 
Phineas Howe, Jan. 12, 1786. Had Jonathan, 
Phineas, Achsah and Parnell, twins. Wife d. 1793; 
m.. 2d, Susannah Koon of Maine in 1795. Had by 
vSusannah, Cressy, b. Nov. 26, 1 796 ; vSophia, b. Aug. 
16, 1779. The family rem. to Marlboro, N. H. By 
tradition he became a Methodist preachei. 

Manassih J-'airbanks\ Ephraim', m. Abigail, dau. of 
vSilas Howe, in 1785; he retained the homestead. 
Had Polly, b. ]\Larch 3, 1786, m. Jonathan Hastings 
of Boylston; Abigail, b. Feb. 23, 1788 ; Silas, b. Aug. 
16, 1790; Persis, b. July 6, 1793, d. 1837; Tamer, b. 
June 5, 1796, m. Joseph Hall of Xewton; Manasseh, 
b. March 1 1 , 1 799, was a comb-maker and went to sea, 
d. here 1866 unm. ; John, b. Aug. 10, 1801, m. Han- 
nah Howe in Northboro ; Sally, b. March i, 1804, m. 
Isaiah McClench of Hall<nvell, Me. He d. March i i , 
1806 ; his wid. m. Nathaniel Longley, Esq., of Bolton ; 
she d. 1838 at 82 yrs. 

Caleb Fairbanks", Ephraim', m. Molly, dau. of Dea. 
James Goddard ; he lived in the old house on the 
farm of A. C. Derby. Had Ephraim, b. 1786; James, 



340 



HISTORY OF THE 



b. March 17, 1788; Caleb, b. June 3, 1790; Betsey, 
b. 1793; Jabez, b. 1799; Amos, b. 1802; Oliver, b. 
1804; Dexter, b. 1806; Hannah, b. 1809. The family 
rem. to Canada. 

S/Ars Jurirb(riiks\ Manasseh^ Ephraim', m. Martha 
W. Wilder of Boston Oct. 6, 1817; he was a shoe- 
maker; house stood on the .site of the old academy. 
Had John H., b. April 12, 18 18; Charles H., b. Feb. 
19, 1820, d. 1838; Silas L., b. Oct. 8, 1822; Mary E., 
b. April 15, 1826; George H., b. Dec. 29, 1828, m. in 
1854 Marv Howe. He d. March 16, 1856; wife d. 
in 1840. 

Silas luiirhaiiki, Jabez', Ephraim', m. Patty, dau. 
of vSamuel Jones". Had Archibald T., b. :March 13, 
1804; Timothy J., b. June 20, 1805,' m., 2d wife, 
Marv Ann, dau. of Jonah Houghton, d. in Lancaster 
in 1884; Silas B., b. Oct. 9, 1808; Lucy B., b. May 4, 
1 8 10; Jonathan, b. Aug. 9, 18 12. 

Col. Silas B. I-'airbaiiks', Silas', Jabez', Ephraim', m. 
Mary, dau. of vStephen Pope, Esq., in 1833; .settled 
in Hudson ; he was a man of marked military qual- 
ities ; was early promoted to the colonelcy ; a prominent 
citizen in Berlin and Hudson; had two sons. None 
of Esquire Ephraim Fairbanks' descendants bearing 
the family name are now res. in Berlin. 

Liikc Fairbanks of Northboro m. Harriet, dau. of 
Dea. Samuel Seaver; lived awhile on the old Bow- 
man place. She d. Oct. 26, 1868; he m., 2d, and 
settled in Sterling:. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 34 1 

FA GIN. 

Fiigin lived north of David vSouthwick's ; 

d. of small pox ; house and effects were burned ; he is 
probably the same "McFadin" who was first settler 
there. 

FARWEI.I.. 

George Faricell, b. jNIay lo, 1820, s. of John of 
Harvard, m. ]\Iary M., dau. of George Worster; 
bought the Jarvis Wheeler farm in 1878, and con- 
tinued on the same until his death in Nov. 7, 1889 ; 
his wid. still occupies the place. Had Ann E., b. 

Feb. 28, 185 I, m. Gay; Abby M., b. Jan. 22, 

1853, m. Ivers H. Sawyer; Hannah vS., b. June i, 
1855; Mary E., b. July 16, 1857; John, b. Aug. 15, 
1859, was killed on the Central Mass. railroad Aug. 
10, 1887 ; Sarah A., b. Feb. 8, 1865 ; Amy H., b. March 
23, 1869, m., Aug. 9, 1887, HoUis j\I. Baker. 

Abel lurriL'ell vo.. Mary Bowman. Had Frances W., 

b. June 30, 1828, m. Flagg in Boylston; 

also had George; Frank; Maria; Ellen. 



FAY. 

Only one branch of the Fay stock have been Ber- 
linians. John Fay came with relatives to Sudbury 
1656, being eight years old. In 1669 he was in 
Marlboro with his wife, Mary; he was in com. 
mand of the garrison which included the Kerley 
families. He had eight children, two of whom 
became mixed with the vShattucks, and David Fay 



342 HISTORY OF THE 

m. Sarah Larkin in 1699. Deliverance m. Benjamin 
Shattuck in 1686. John himself m. Susanna Shat- 
tuck for his 2d wife. Gershom Fay, s. of John, m. 
Mary Brigham, dan. of John of vSndbury. They 
were yet of Marlboro, next of Westboro, and finally 
of Northboro, yet never moved, — the towns came to 
them. The locality was partially on our west road 
to Northboro by way of Samuel I. Rice's. Gershom, 
Jr., once lived there. Gershom, Sr., lived southwest 
of the homestead of Capt. Lewis Fay. Gershom had 
a s., Paul, the father of Nahum and Asa. John 
Flavcl, s. of Nahum, came to Berlin for his wife, 
Charlotte Puffer. Dexter, s. of Nahum, came "to 
stay," so he m. Zilpah, dau. of Barnabas Maynard, 
who built them the house now owned by Frank 
Lasselle. 

Dexter Fay, s. of Nahum of Northboro, was b. 
Dec. 24, 1780, m. Zilpah, dau. of Barnabas Maynard, 
April 10, 1803; he settled on the homestead of his 
father-in-law and remained there the rest of his life ; 
he was largely engaged for some years in carrying 
produce of various kinds to the Boston market: he 
was a deacon of the Orthodox Church from 1 8 1 5 to 
1840, and was zealous in the performance of all his 
religious duties ; he was afflicted during the last years 
of his life with some mental disturbance or a mild 
form of insanity. Had Mary, b. Oct. 21, 1804, m. 
Rev. Levi Brigham, a graduate of Williams College 
and Andover Theological Seminary, was settled in 
Dunstable, Saugus and Troy, N. H., both are now 
dead; Barnabas Maynard, b. Julv 27, 1806, m. Louise 
Mills of N. J.; Lucy W., b. Aug. 6, 1810, m. Eber 
Brewer of Northboro, d. there in 1850 ; Harriet New- 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 343 

ell, b. Aug. 1 2, 1 8 1 3, m. Russell Park, d. in Westboro ; 
Sarah M., b. March 15, 181 5, m. Oliver Taylor of 
Dunstable, Mass., d. in Dunstable; Dexter W., b. 
Feb. 20, 181 7, d. June 25, 1843 ; Nahum White, b. 
March 15, 1821 : James R., b. Feb. 22, 1823; Zilpah 
E., b. Feb., 1825, m., Sept. 30, 1855, Rev. William 
Grassie, d. in Erie, Pa. 

Nahum \V. Fay, s. of Dea. Dexter, m. Emily R. 
Thompson of Uxbridge Sept. 12, 1 844 ; he and his 
bro., James R., continued on the old homestead until 
about 1865, when he bought his brother's interest in 
the same ; some three years after he sold the place to 
Henry M. Flagg and rem. to Northboro; returned to 
town about 1^875 and bought the Oliver Fosgate 
farm, and in 1880 sold the same to his son-in-law, 
Willis Rice ; since that time he has lived most of the 
time with his s., William E. Had Henry Dexter, 
b. June 23, 1845, has been insane many years; 
Walter A., b. ^^larch 12, 1848, was a carpenter in 
Worcester, where he d. Nov. 23, 1880; Harriet 
Susan, b. Feb. 23, 1850, m. Willis Rice; William E., 
b. Nov. 23, 1853; Minnie E., b. June 29, i860, m. S. 
C. Chamberlin, Jr., she had been a teacher in ]\Iarl- 
boro previous to marriage; George H., b. July 12, 
1862, now in the insane hospital. His wife, Emily 
R., d. July 3, 1879; he d. Feb. 12, 1895. 

William E. Fay, s. of Nahum W., m. Mary J. 
McKenna of Marlboro in 1875 ; he bought the Morse 
place (so-called), near the old Fay homestead, and 
built the house on the spot where the old one was 
burned a few years before; he sold the place in 1892, 
and the same "is now occupied by George W. Knight. 



344 HISTORY OF THE 

Had William E., b. March lo, 1876; Harry N., b. 
Sept. 15, 1877; Carlton E., b. May 9, 1879, parted 
with his wife some years ago and was divorced from 
her in 1892. 

James R. Fay, s. of Dea. Dexter, m. Laura B., wid. 
of Solomon Jones, Jan. i, 1867, res. with her in the 
southeast part of the town on the Solomon Jones 
place. 

PETER FAV. 

A well-known character in Berlin about fifty years 
ago was Peter Fay, a singular specimen of humanity 
truly; not a fool in the true sense of that word, but 
foolish in some respects. He lacked ability to 
properly care for himself, and hence the town had 
to provide for his more pressing necessities. He 
was yearly put up at public vendue, as was custom- 
ary in those times to dispose of paupers. Sometimes 
the town received fifty cents a week or more for his 
services and sometimes less, but on the whole he 
kept the account nearly balanced. He was easily 
excited when pestered by boys, as was often the 
case, and in his frenzy went for them with a ven- 
geance. Was a s. of Patty Foster and of unknown 
paternal ancestry. He d. of cancer at John W. 
Grossman's April 26, 1851. 

On Peter Fay please now bestow 

A kindly thought of care; 

He had no portion here below, 

His home was anywhere. 

Few friends or kindred could he claim, 

His sire's name — unknown they say; 

Tradition holds the mother's name, 

Why did they call him Peter Fay? 



TOW'N OF BERLIN. 345 

From place to place he roamed around, 

To seek his daily bread, 

The lowest bidder for him found 

A place to lay his head. 

Onward with slow and plodding toil 

He went his weary way, 

A patient workman of the soil 

He lived from day to day. 

At Grossman's house he passed away 

In eighteen fifty-one. 

Perchance the real life of Peter Fay 

Was then but just begun. 

P. J. HOI.BROOK. 



FELTON. 

/„.„* Ihim, s. of Stephen Felton of Marlboro and 
of the sixth generation from Nathaniel Felton. %vho 
settled in Salem in .633, wash. Nov. '5. >790.ni. 
Lucinda Wilkins. dan. of Edward and Sarah W.lfans 
of Marlboro, in June. ,8.4; he moved to Princeton. 
Mass.. and carried on the machine eardmg busmess 
twelve vrs.; in .828 they were living m Feltonv.Ue. 
and the next year rem. and settled on the place now 
owned by his grands., Truman P. Felton : he was abro. 
of Silas Felton, Esq.. the founder of Feltonv.Ue. His 
wife, Lncinda, d. May 30. .865, at 74 yrs.; m 2d. 
Mar • Wilkins of Hudson, wid. of Edward Wdkms 
hro. of Mr. Felton's first wife, March, .868, he hved 
with her in Wilkinsonville until her death May .8, 
.875- he later moved back to Berlin, wtoe he d. 
Au^ 23. .883. aged 9^ yrs. 9 mos.. the oldest man 
fn town at the time. Had by his w.fe, Lue.nda, 
HenrvOtis, b. in Marlboro Dec. .2, .8.4; Sylvester, 
b in Princeton Sept. 5. .8.8. d. in BerUn unm. Sept. 
27, .85. ; Merrick, b. in Princeton Aug. 31. 'S^S- 



34 6 HISTORY OF THE 

Henry O. Ju/Zo/i, s. of Jacob, m. in T^imenbiirg' May 
7, 1840, Charlotte Phelps; he was a carpenter and 
had charge of a sa\v-mill in Lunenburg several years 
and lost a few of his fingers ; some forty years ago he 
purchased what was known as Barber's grist and 
saw-mills and also as Pollard's mills at West Berlin, 
and moved to that place; his wife was instantly 
killed June 6, 1891, while crossing the Old Colony 
railroad at West Berlin ; he bought the place lately 
owned by Rev. Francis Rand, where heandhisdau., 
Marv E., did reside. Plad by his wife, Charlotte, 
Maria C, b. March 23, 1841, m. Levi Babcock, d. 
Aug. 14, 1885; Mary E., b. April 21, 1843, h^s been 
a school teacher of large experience; George H., b. 
Aug. 7, 1847; Sarah A., b. April 22, 1850, d. ]\Iarch 
2, 1852; Addie L., b. Nov. 6, 1854, m. Levi Babcock. 
Henry ()., d. ]\Larch 4, 1895. 

George If. l-elion, s. of Henry C)., m. vSarah Alackey 
of Xorthboro Aug. 3, 1S84; he succeeded his father 
in the mill business at West Berlin. Had Walter 
L., b. Oct. 30, 1884; Gertrude, b. May 8, 1886; 
Bertha, b. Sept. 27, 1888; ]\Label, b. July 3, 1892. 

Merrick J''e/toii, s. of Jacob, m. Elizabeth Page of 
Lunenburg; he is a carpenter ; worked at his trade in 
Southboro, Clinton and Lawrence, Mass. ; some 
thirty-five years ago he returned to the old home- 
stead here in Berlin ; he has now sold the farm to 
his s., Truman P., retaining, however, for his own 
use, the cottage house and barn and a few acres con- 
nected therewith ; he has a house in Fitchburg and 
spends a portion of his time there. His wife, 
Elizabeth, d. Sept. 30, 1871, aged 47; hem., 2d, Mary 




HENRY O. FELTON. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 347 

B. Priest of Leominster Aug. ii, 1872. Had bv liis 
wife, Elizabeth, Charles M., b. Jan. 25, 1850, d. Jan. 27, 
same yr. ; Martha E., b. Oct. 14, 1852, m. George H. 
Dyer Sept., 1869, was divorced April, 1873; Abbott 
S., b. Aug. 14, 1855, res., Fitchburg; Marion A., b. 
Aug. 30, 1858; Truman P., b. Jan. 25, 1862, m. Mary 
L. Whitcomb, dau. of Amasa A., June 24, 1890; 
Lucinda E., b. Oct. 10, 1864. Wife, Mary B., d. 
Dec. 18, 1893. Truman P. Felton is a graduate of 
the Mass. Agricultural College. 

FIFE. 

William and Janus Fife came from Fifeshire, Scot- 
land, about 1728; the former settled near Bolton 
depot, where Daniel Marsh now lives ; the latter, 
James, settled on our territory, the place now owned 
by Jonas H. Carter. The Fifes of Scotland were 
distinguished for their bravery and heroism in many 
a conflict among the Highland clans, and were 
connected with some of the most notable and distin- 
guished families of the realm of Scotland. The 
above-named William, who settled just over the line 
in Bolton, has had representatives of his family in 
that vicinity to the present time. William E. Fife 
of Clinton is of this line. 

James Fife, above-named, b. 1720, m. Patience, 
dau. of James Butler, who lived on the John Collins 
place. He d. June 25, 1779; Patience, his wid., d. 
March 3, 18 16, at 90. Had James, b. Nov., 1742, d. 
young; Silas, b. Oct. 4, 1743, m. Abigail Houghton 
and settled in Monadnock No. 5 ; Molly, b. 1745, m. 
Robert Hudson, a refugee from the enrollment of 
the king's armv in Ireland ; Robert, b. March 1 1 , 



348 HISTORY OF THE 

1747, retained the homestead; Relief, b. 1750, m., 
1773, Jonathan Whitcomb. settled in Templeton and 
had ten children; Patience, b. 175 1, d. youn^; 
Susannah, b. 1752, m. Capt. Samuel Woods of Marl- 
boro; Patience, b. 1757, m. her cousin, William Fife 
of Bolton, in 1786; James, b. 1760, was a soldier in 
the Revolution, d. tmm. in 1790; Deliverance, b. 
1760, m. Israel Maynard; Samuel, b. 1763, d. young; 
Sarah, b. 1766, d. 1782, "a sweet girl followed to her 
grave by all her schoolmates ;" Martha, b. 1767, m. 
James Britain, res., Barre. Vt. 

Robert Fife, s. of James, m. Hephzibah Bush of 
Marlboro, now Hudson ; succeeded his father on the 
homestead. Had Lucy, b. Nov., 1777, d. young; 
Hannah, b. July 29, 1778. m. Solomon Moore, res., 
Hillsboro, N. H. ; Lucy, b. May 18, 1780, m. Curtis 
Pollard of Bolton; Hephzibah, b. Sept. 30, 1781, m. 
Asa Goss of vSterling; Robert, b. vSept. 3, 1783 ; Jesse, 
b. Aug. 3, 1785; Sarah, b. 1787, d. 1803. He d. 
1787; wid. m., 2d, William Babcock and d. 1826. 
Robert and Jesse settled in Florida, Mass. 

FLAGG. 

Joseph F/(igg, s. of Benjamin Flagg, came from Boyl- 
ston with family in 1845; he was probably a 
descendant of Thomas Flagg, who was in Watertown 
in 1643 ; 1^6 bought the place where his s., Edward 
W., now lives; from thence rem. to the place recently 
occupied by Caty Bride in the Centre. His wife was 
Martha Hastings of Boylston, a sister of Ephraim 
Hastings, the father of Capt. C. S. Hastings. Had 
Persis. b. , m. Dana- Rice of Northboro; 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



349 



Levi Lincoln, b. , res., Boylston; Alartha, b. 

, m. Alexander Grassie Dec. 28, 1853 ; Edward 

W., b. Jtme 7, 1822; Ezra A., b. 1826, d. March 19, 

1856; Seth A., b. , d. ; George E., b. 

, res., Michigan: Henry Martin, b. Aug. 19, 

1830; Cleora ]\I., b. 1834, m. Jonas Bigelow of North- 
boro March 17, 1858. He d. Oct. 16, 1877, at 75 
yrs. ; wid. d. March 16, 1882, at 'jj yrs. 

Edward JV. F/agg'', Joseph', m. Charlotte Loomis 
of vSouthboro Nov. 3, 1859; he lives on the old Silas 
Bailey place ; the house was built by George Abram 
Babcock of Boston. Had Charles A., b. Aug. 27, 
i860, was a merchant in Chicago, d. in Berlin May 
16, 1883 ; Ella j\L, b. Oct. 4, 1866, m. Silas L. Mills 
Dec. 24, 1885; Sadie E., b. Feb. 22, 1886; Gertrude 
May, a protegee of Mr. Flagg, b. Sept. 19, 1881. 

Henry Martin Flagg\ Joseph', m. Auretta A. Jones, 
res. on the place formerly owned by George E. John- 
son ; has been extensively engaged in wood and 
lumber. Had Emma, b. June 15. 1872. 

FLETCHER. 

And K. Fletcher, s. of Joel of New London, N. H., 
m. Harriet Somes; had lived in Cambridge; came to 
Berlin in 1855; settled on the place now owned by 
Charles W. Carvelle. Had Lavina, b. June 30, 1839, 
in. Philo Bruce; Charles E., b. June 17, 1841, m. 
Lynda Stanley, res., unknown ; George F., b. Aug. 
22, 1842, m. ]Maria Connor May 6, 1875, res.. East 
Brookfield ; Ann E., b. July 10, 1844, m. Eugene D. 
Colby of Boston; Harriet M., b. March 31, 1847, ^• 
John Adams; Frances E., b. Nov. 11,. 1848, m. John 



35 O HISTORY OF THE 

White of Charlestown ; Ada jM., b. July 4, 1852, m. 
AVilliam Caldwell, he d. of hydrophobia, she m., 2d, 
Charles Sargent. Ariel K. d. Jan. 15, 1879; the 
family rem. to Northboro. 

FOLEY, 

Patrick Foley, a native of Ireland, m. Catherine 
Lynch in Marlboro Feb. 1 7, 1865 ; he res. at the most 
-easterly part of the town, near Hudson. Had Mar- 
garet A., b. Nov. 18, 1865; Daniel E., b. April 25, 
1867; Patrick H., b. Nov. 5, 1869; Michael D., b. 
Nov. 2, 1871 ; John F., b. Jan. 22, 1874, d. July 21, 
1874; Nellie M., b. Feb. 27, 1876; Jennie J., b. Dec. 
•6, 1879; Catherine W., b. April 17, 1884. 

FOSTER. 

Elijah Foster m. Elizabeth Knights; he is named 
in the east school district in 1785. Elizabeth Foster 
•of Berlin m. Abel Goulding of Shrewsbury in 1 806 ; 
she d. here at Dea. George W. Sawyer's in 1878 ; may 
have been of this family. The same family probably 
lived on South Barnes hill when the Hudsons were 
there. It was reported that the Fosters, seeing their 
neighbors, the Hudsons, at work on the Sabbath, 
said nothing, presuming they would keep Mon- 
day for Sunday, which they did devoutly. The 
Fosters had it for a standing joke on the Hudsons. 

FOSGATE. 

The ancestor of the Fosgate family was John 
Tosgate of Charlestown, b. 1636, m. Elizabeth 
Leach; he had a s., Robert, b. 1672, m. Mercy Good- 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 35 ^ 



win in 1700, and he a s., Robert, b. 1704, m. Sarah 
Howe, who was in ]\Iarlboro in 1731 ; he settled on 
a place in the east part of Berlin, known as the 
Gates farm, where his descendants are now living ; 
he was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and in 
the expedition against Crown Point. Robert and 
vSarah had a large family of children, five sons and 
eight daughters, namely : ^lary ; Elizabeth ; Ezekiel ; 
Patience; Ketina; Joel, b. 1 75 1 ; Oliver ; Anna ; John, 
m. Abigail Jones of Lunenburg in 1761, res., West- 
minster; Zibia. m. Solomon Bowker in 1789; Phebe, 
m. John Brown in 1764; Asa Nourse, bro. to our 
Dr. Nourse. m. a dau. of Robert Fosgate; Jacob, m. 

Lois in Marlboro in 1745; Robert gave his 

homestead farm to his s., Joel, which was somewhat 
encumbered. Joel was feeble in his youth, but be- 
came strong and endured immense labor on farm 
and in the brick yard at the foot of "Clay Pit hill.'" 
That pond hole on the left as we turn upon the 
Fosgate road is artificial. To improve time he 
worked nights at coopering; he was a favorite of his 
father ; a good neighbor and a worthy citizen. 

Joel Fosgatc\ Robert\ Robert^, John', m. Xaomi 
Gilbert Dec. 11, 1777. Had Robert, b. Aug. 15. 
T779, m. Hannah, dau. of William Sawyer, res., 
Winchester, X. H., she d. March 13, 1871 ; Mendall. 
b. June 13, 1781 ; Gilbert, b. Feb. 15, 1783. d. July 

25, 181 1 ; Joel. b. Dec. 18, 1784, d. ; Luke, b. 

Aug. 5, 1787; Betsey, b. Jan. 5, 1789, m. Samuel, s. 
of Job Spofford, also m., 2d, Josiah Bride ; Sally, b. 
April 2, 1791. m. Stephen Puffer Sept. 15, 18 12, res.. 
Sterling and Amherst; Sophia, b. Aug. 4, i793. m., 
Sept. 28. 181 3, James Maynard of Northboro. she d. 



35 2 HISTORY OF THE 

in 1872; vSusannah, b. July 28, 1795, m. Moses Brig- 
ham of Marlboro March 20, 181 5; Lucy, b. Aug. 16, 
1798, m. Thomas Holder. Joel, Sr., d. March 24, 
1824, age 73; his wife, Naomi, d. Oct. i, 1839, at 83. 

Luke Fosgatc, s. of Joel, m. jMary, dau. of Gershom 
Rice of Marlboro, May 21, 1 8 1 7 ; he retained the 
homestead; he settled his four sons on his extensive 
domain ; he and his wife finally joined the Shakers 
of Harvard and there d. He d. Nov. 26, 1873; she 
d. vSept. 28, 1 87 1. Had Joel H., b. March 16, 1818; 
John G., b. Dec. 8, 1820; George W., b. Feb. 25, 
1824; Reuben P., b. Dec. 7, 1826; Caroline, b. March 
II, 183 1, m. Willard M. Wheeler; Mary S., b. Jan. 
28, 1833, d. Oct. 9, 1845. 

Moidall I'osgatc, s. of Joel, m. vSally Spofford, dau. 

of Samuel, Sr., Aug. 3, 1801. HadPersis,b. , 

m. Everett of Princeton; Oliver, b. Aug. 8, 

1803; Mendall G., b. in Vermont May 16, 1809. 

Joc-/ H. Fosgaic, s. of Luke, m. Ruth A. Brigham, 
dau. of Aaron of Bridgton, Me., Sept. 5, 1843 : settled 
on part of the old homestead near Gates' pond. Had 
Francis O., b. Nov. 11, 1845, m. Emma S. Symmes, 
res., Shrewsbury; Emily, b. June 28, 1847, i^- Her- 
bert A. Cook of Marlboro, res., Shrewsbury; Frederick 
A., b. June 17, 1852; Angeline B., b. Oct. 13, 1855, 
m. Henry H. Davis of Shrewsbury; Alva Dana, b. 
April 23, 1859. 

John G. Fosgatc, s. of Luke, m. Martha Rice; he 
settled on a part of the old homestead, next to his 
bro., Joel ; later rem. to Stone's corner, near South 
Bolton depot. Had by Martha, Eliza O., b. May 23, 
1853, m. Lewis O. Sawyer, res., Hudson; Marshall 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



153 



A., b. ^lay ii, 1856. Wife, Martha, d. July 14, 

1856. He m., 2d, Elizabeth T. Heywood Nov. 9, 

1857, and by her had Leo E., b. Oct. 2, i860; he is 
a fruit merchant tti Boston. Wife, Elizabeth, d. 
vSept. 21, 1880, at 57. 

George W. Fosgate, s. of Luke, m. Eunice C. Dodge 
Oct. 25, 1848; he had a part of the old farm; lived 
in the old mansion. Had Mary L., b. Aug. 5, 1849, 
d. June 3, 1851; Julia Etta, b. July 18, 1857, m. 
vSidney B. Carter; Lilla F. and Lewis B., twins, b. 
July 29, 1863; Nellie N., b. Aug. 23, 1865, m. Ernest 
Ross June 20, 1895. George W. d. Dec. 30, 1891. 

Reuben P. Fosgate, s. of Luke, m. Sarah D. Loomis 
of Southboro June 12, 1851, res. on the old home- 
stead in the old mansion. Had Hattie A., b. July 
13, 1856; William L., b. Aug. 5, i860. 

Oliver Fosgate, s. of Mendall, m. Lucy, dau. of 
vSilas Houghton, March, 1832; he lived on the place 
now owned by Willis Rice. He d. June 29, 1870; 
wid. d. Jan. 20, 1886. Had Charles O., b. June 22, 
1840, m. Nellie Hastings of Concord; he is a profes- 
sional musician, res., formerly Boston, now California. 
They had a s., Charles H., b. April 9, 1867, res., 
Boston. 

Mendall G. Fosga/e, Jr., s. of ]\lendall, m. Harriet 
Parker of Westboro April 19, 1834, res., Westboro 
and other places. Had Harriet, Martha and Louise. 
He d. in Washington, D. C, Feb. 2, 1885. 

Frederiek A. Fosgnte, s. of Joel H., m. Ella F. 
vSwan July 11. 1881; he is the proprietor of the 
picnic grounds at Gates' pond; has several cottages 
on the eastern shore. Had Ruth E., b. Jan. 6, 1883 ; 



354 HISTORY OF THE 

Jennie I., b. I\Iarch 23. 1884; Fred H., b. Feb. 20, 
1890. 

Ahui Dana Fosgatc, s. of Joel H., m. Nellie S. 
Clarke of Boston ]March 5, 1 8*6.2; he lives with his 
father. 

Marshall A. Fosi^atc, s. of John (>., m. Ella Jacobs, 
dau. of George, res., near South Bolton depot, just 
in Hudson; is engaged in the wood and lumber 
business. 

Lnuis E. Fosgatc, s. of George W., m. Ella G., dau. 
of Clifford Walcott, June 9, 1894; lives on the place 
formerly owned by his uncle, John G. 

FOX. 

August F. h'o.\\ b. Jan. 10, 1842, m., Aug. 12, 1869, 
Augusta Copar, b. June 19, 1844; came from wSaxony, 
Germany, 1881 ; lives on the old Bartlett place, near 
Bolton depot. Had Mary A., b. Dec. 3, 1869; 
Alvina L., b. July 19, 1876; Clara I., b. May 19, 
1879; Willie Otto, b. ]^^'^- -6- i^^'^S: Emma R., b. 
Feb. II, 1888. 

FRY. 

The Frys of Berlin are a branch of the more 
numerous families of the name in Bolton. The 
head of these was William, the fifth in descent from 
John Fr}', who settled in Andover in 1645. This 
William settled in Bolton and had a s., John, who 
m. Merriam, dau. of Obadiah and Eleanor Wheeler, 
June 21, 1762. They had Obadiah, William, Mary, 
Merriam, John. Jonathan. James, and Abigail m. 
Daniel Wheeler of our town. Wife, jMerriam, d., 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 355 

and he m., 2d, Rachel vStearns of Uxbridge July 4, 
1787, and by her had Thomas, the famous school 
teacher of Bolton ; also Anna, m. Ira Aldrich of 
Northbridge, and Rachel m. Joseph Holder. 

William, the s. of John and Merriam, had a 
numerous family, and among- these was William, 
who settled in Berlin. 

Williavi, s. of William and grands, of John of 
Bolton, b. July 26, 1800, m. Fanny Fuller of War- 
wick, res. on road from George H. Bruce's to Friends' 
Meeting House. Had Adaline B., b. May 19, 1827, 
d. Nov. 20, 1853 ; William Henry, b. April 19, 1829; 
George F., b. Sept. 25, 1831 ; Sampson W., b. May 
'^9j 1^33- Wife, Fanny, d. ; he m., 2d, Sarah Ray of 
Stow, and by her had Fanny, b. Sept. 28, 1838, m. 
Timothy N. Eastman, he d., she m., 2d, Brigham 
Rowe; David A., b. March 23, 1840; Abraham, b. 
Nov. 6, 1 841; Sarah, b. July 9, 1843, d. same year. 
He d. March 16, 1877, at '/6\ wife, Sarah, d. March 
12, 1864, at 5o. 

William Henry Fry, s. of William and Fanny of 
Berlin, m. ]Mary E., dan, of Ephraim Goddard; lived 
awhile in the south part, thence rem. to Marlboro, 
where he still resides; shoemaker; no children. 

Sampson Fry, s. of William ; was a soldier in the 
late war; settled in Minnesota. 

George F. Fry, bro. of William H., m. Zilpah A., 
dau. of Ephraim Goddard; he lived some years where 
Christopher Wheeler now res. ; was a shoemaker. 
Had Nellie G., b. 1853, she d. Nov. 11, 1870 ; Chester 
J., b. ]\Iarch 21, 1855, d. in Marlboro in 1894; Charles 



356 HISTORY OF THE 

A., b. Feb. 15, 1857, d. 1877, while in his academical 
studies; George E., b. Dec. 8, 1859; Leslie M., b. 
1862. George F. d. 1870; wife, Zilpah, d. ]\Iay 13, 
1867. 

David A. and Abraham Fry, sons of William and 
vSarah Ray Fry, continue on the homestead of their 
father and keep bachelors' hall. 

FULLER. 

Sautncl M. Fuller, s. of Ely Fuller of Ludlow, Mass., 
b. June 22, 181 2, m. Catherine B., dau, of Gideon 
Bliss, Xov. 24, 1833; became to town in 1848 and 
lived in the house next south of the Massachusetts 
Central depot in Carterville ; he was engaged for 
some years in the making of shoes ; he kept the store 
in that village for awhile and finally sold out to John 
A. Merrill, the present occupant. They had six 
children: Catherine, b. Oct. 19, 1835, m. Rufus C. 
Sawyer; Elizabeth, b. Feb. 5, 1837, m. Charles H. 
Hartwell April 10, 1853, who d. June 27, 1879; 
Samuel Ely, b. Feb. 23, 1839, m.. May 6, 1868, Julia 
;^L Bailey, dau. of the 2d wife of George W. ^Laynard, 
she d. some years ago and he now res. in Hudson; 
James B., b. Dec. 8, 1840, m. Anna B. Shilliber Dec. 
9, 1876, he resides in Boston and is engaged in mer- 
cantile affairs; Mary Jane, b. May i, 1843, m. Henry 
W. Welch Nov. 7, 1863, resides in Clinton; Almy 
B.. b. July 24, 1846, m. Charles Russell Feb. i, 1865. 
He d. Jan. 3, 1883, aged 76 yrs. ; his wife, Catherine, 
d. July 26, 1880, at 70 yrs, Caroline, a sister of 
Samuel M. of Ludlow, d. here April 17, 1877, at 
74 yrs. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 357 

GAGE. 

Daiiic/ Gage with family and brc, John, succeeded 
Aaron Barnes as tanners ; yard near Carterville, in 
1824; followed by Rockwood & Brightman in 1830. 

Samuel Gage, bro. of Daniel, settled on the William 
Jones place (now Robert Xewsome's) ; his son-in-law. 
Converse, was fatally injured and d. there Oct. 5, 
1829, age 19: the family left town soon after. Daniel 
d. on Ball hill. 

GAMBLE. 

Sajiiiiel Gamble; his name appears in connection 
with the Bolton road over "Gamble hill;" he lived 
on the Andrew McElwain place (Samuel Spofford's); 
he lived also on the Prentice Keyes place in North- 
boro, 

GIBBS. 

Ilezekiah Gihbs m., May 24, 1745, Elizabeth, 
probably a sister of Abijah Pratt; it seems probable 
that he established the present Fred Woodward 
homestead; William Bryant was there in 1784. Had 
Sarah, b. 1749; Hezekiah, b. 1752. 

He.zekiah Gibbs, Jr., m., March 4, 1775, Miriam 
Powers ; he was called Doctor Gibbs ; indications are 
that the Boylston family was of this stock. Had 
Jonathan, b. 1775 ; Sarah, d. young; Miriam, b. 1778, 
m. Samuel Heard in 1797. 

GATES. 

Not many of the Gates name have lived here for 
any great length of time. People have become 



358 HISTORY OF THE 

familiar with the name from the name of the princi- 
pal pond in town which bears this name. It derived 
its name from the fact that a tract of land in the 
eai^t part, embracing nearly all of Gates' pond, was 
owned by the heirs of Stephen Gates, one of the 
early proprietors of Lancaster in 1654. His stay in 
Lancaster was brief. He d. in Cambridge in 1662, 
leaving five children — vStephen, Simon, Thomas, 
Elizabeth and Mary. Some of these remained in 
Lancaster, others settled in wStow and Sudbury. On 
the second division of upland in 171 7, the tract 
above named was set off to the estate of Stephen 
Gates, and a few years later was sold by his heirs to 
Robert Fosgate, Josiah Sawyer and others. We 
have no positive proof by record that any of the 
posterity of Stephen Gates settled on this territory, 
but tradition has it that one Gates lived between 
the pond and the Moses Dudley place, and also one 
of the name lived north of the Holders. It is of 
interest to note the description of the land and the 
boundaries thereof, as contained in the original 
set-off, namely: "He hath his second division of 

upland lying to the of Hog Swamp meadow, 

a considerable part of a pond lying within the said 
land and bounded on all sides of it by common un- 
divided land ; a rock called the Sleeping Rock is on 
the outside of it, near the northwest corner. The 
place where it Lyes by the Indians was called 
Kequasagansett, and is laid out to the estate of the 
said Stephen Gates for 314 acres." 

Mary Gates, dau. of Stephen Gates, Sr., seems to 
have been of a decidedly tropical nature ; she very 
boldly contradicted the minister in Lancaster in the 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



359 



public assembly on the Sabbath, for which offense 
she was reprimanded and fined ; she indignantly shook 
off the dust of her feet against them ; moved to Sud- 
bury and m. John Maynard, from whom originated 
some of the more prominent families of this town. 

Rciibcii Gates, of what family does not appear, m. 
Sally Tenney in 1 808 ; he was the occupant of the 
tannery west of Carterville in 18 10. Had a s., 
William, b. vSept. 24, 1808, m. Sally Potter of Concord; 
he has recently donated to the Orthodox Sabbath 
school the sum of §1,000; res., Arlington. 

GARRITV. 

Janus Garrity, a native of Ireland, b. Oct. 15, 1833, 
m. Bridget E. Mullen; came to Berlin about 1853; 
lives on the Clinton road ; a shoemaker and laborer. 
Had one child b. 1857, d. in infancy ; Mary A., b. Aug, 
25, 1859; John T., b. Jan. 26, 1862; Delia E., b. 
April 6, 1865, m. John McXift'; James vS., b. Dec. 
23, 1867; Ellen C, b. Dec. 7, 1870; Agnes E., b. 
June 23, 1876. 

GILL. 

MkJiacl Gil/,h. 1835 in Ireland, m., April 12, 1854, 
Bridget Gill. Had Mary A., b. Jan. 13, 1858, m. 

: Meaner, d. Aug. 25, 1891 ; John A., b. April 

17, 1859; ^lichael A., b. May 17, 1862, d. Sept. 14, 
1864; Catharine L., b. Feb. 15, 1865; Elizabeth B., b. 
May 5, 1868; William J., b. April 15, 1870, d. 1872; 
Margaret, b. Oct. 15, 1872; Agnes Ellen, b. Jan. 25, 
1876; Charles M., b. Dec. 8, 1878 ; Walter F., b. Nov. 
30, 1886. 



360 HISTORY OF THE 

GODDARD. 

The Goddards of Berlin are descendants of William 
Goddard, who came from London and settled in 
Watertown in 1665. The next year his wife and 
three children came over and joined him. He had been 
a grocer in London ; he lost his household goods by 
the great fire, which destroyed a large portion of the 
city in 1666. His wife was Elizabeth Miles. He d. 
in 1 69 1 and she d. in 1697. Three sons survived 
them. One s., Edward, was a schoolmaster and a 
justice of the peace, and settled in Framingham ; 
this Edward had three sons, who settled in Shrews- 
bury, who became prominent citizens of that town. 
Josiah, another s. of William and Elizabeth (Miles) 
Goddard, retained the Watertown homestead; he m. 
Rachel Davis of Roxbury. Had a s., William, b. 
1 694, who was the ancestor of the Goddards of this 
town. This William m. Keziah Cloyes of P'raming- 
ham June 26, 1726; he settled on the farm in North- 
boro, now owned by E. Warren Pierce, but formerly 
owned by Holloway Bailey; it contained 234 acres 
with dwelling house and barn ; ^he bought of Edward 
Johnson of Woburn forty acres, where the mills are, 
in 1 744, and other lands until he became a large land 
owner. Much land at this time was common. He 
built the dam and mills at South Berlin; began the 
work in 1752; the outlay was so great that it nearly 
ruined him financially and probably hastened his 
death. 

William Goddard d. Feb. 19, 1762, age 68 yrs. ; his 
wife, Keziah, d. March 10, 1794, age 90 yrs. ; his 
grave is in Northboro old cemetery, back of the 



TOWN OF BERLIN'. 36 1 

Unitarian Church; his wid., Keziah, for the affection 
she bore to her s., James, "for his great kindness," 
desired burial with him and his family. Had ]\Iary. 
b. 1727; Josiah, b. 1729; James, b. 1731; Rachel, b. 
1732; Solomon, b. 1734; Hannah, b. 1736; Lydia, b. 
1737; Jane, b. 1739: John, b. 1740; Moses, b. 1742; 

Ruth, b. 1744; Richard, . Mary m. John 

Houghton, 3d, and moved to Brattleboro, Vt. ; Josiah 
m. Lydia Ball of Northboro and lived on the home 
place; James will come into our record of families; 
Rachel m. Asa Howe of ]\Iarlboro; Solomon m. 
Thankful Bowers, lived on the farm known as the 

Dana Stone place; Hannah m. Collister; 

Lydia "m. Eliphalet Stone ; Jane m. William Barker, 
who was the first settler of ]\Iarlboro, X. H. This 
was the beginning of the Berlin emigration to that 
northern Eldorado. Hannah and Lydia with their 
husbands followed them; then the Tenneys and 
Joneses. John went to Connecticut with his wife, 
Lucy Walker. ISIoses will appear in our record of 
families. Ruth tried the Granite State in Henniker 
with her husband, Jacob Rice. 

Dca. James Goddard, Sr., s. of William of Northboro 
and fourth in descent from William of Watertown, 
m. Hannah Rice, dau. of Jacob Rice of Northboro ; 
he settled on the farm now owned by Henry J. Saw- 
yer, containing then 157 acres, but was enlarged by 
eighty-two acres, embracing a part of the farm now 
owned bv Charles ]M. Sawyer; this addition included 
a house and barn on the north side of the road, 
which were built by Josiah Wilson, and which James, 
Jr., and James, 3d, successively occupied, as did also 
Rev. Dr. Puffer, until his house was built in 1788. 



362 HISTORY OF THE 

James Goddard, Sr., was one of the more wealthy 
land owners of the town, a man of sterling worth, and 
a deacon of the church from 1778 to 1807. Had by 
his wife, Hannah, William, b. 1 764, m. Anna Moore, 
dau. of Isaac, Nov. 27, 1788 (they had Lydia, Lucy 
and Josiah); he d. and she m., 2d, Elijah Ball of 
Boylston; Hannah, b. Oct. 27, 1761, m. Reuben Bab- 
cock of Northboro; she was mother of Reuben, Jr., 
lately deceased here; James, b. April 15, 1763; 
Eunice, b. 1765, m, Capt. Samuel vSpofford, vSr., m. 
2d, Capt. Henry Powers; vSarah, b. June 8, 1772, m. 
Alvin vSawyer, d. at 35 yrs. ; Betsey, b. March 9, 
1774, m. William Barnes; Molly, m., Nov. 10, 1785, 
Caleb Fairbanks, who built first house on the place, 
now held by A. C. Derby, and earlier owned by Wel- 
come Barnes. He d. Jan. 13, 1 8 1 5, aged 84 ; his wife, 
Hannah, d. March 21, 1807. 

J/oscs Godaard, s. of ^Villiam, m. ^lolly Walker of 
Stukely, Canada; he lived at first in Marlboro and 
Northboro ; rem. to Monadnock, No. 5 (Marlboro, 
N. H. ), of which he was one of the grantees ; returned 
to Berlin and lived in the old Fuller house in Carter- 
ville; the family finally rem. from town about 1795. 
Had Eber, b. April 5, 1766; Abel, b. Sept. 22, 1767; 
(Moses, b. Feb. 23, 1771, and Elijah, b. March 17, 
1773, in Monadnock, No. 5); Archelius, b. May 13, 
1775; Silas, b. March 7, 1778; Abraham, b. May 22, 
1780; Solomon, b. July 16, 1782; Molly, b. Oct. 30, 
1785 ; Lydia, who m. Aaron Greene, not m record. 

Ebcr Goddard, s. of ]\Ioses, m. Luc}^ Johnson, sister 
to Prudence, wife of Josiah Sawyer. Had Joseph 
W., b. 1792, res., Fitchburg; Asa, b. 1796, res., 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



Brattleboro, Vt; Sylvia, b. 1797: Lucy, b. 1800, m 
Berlin; Maria, b. 1803, d. 1805 ; Mary, b. 18 10; Eber, 
b. 1 8 1 3. Eber or Moses moved the old Town House 
for the poor from "Larkin pasture" to "Corner;" 
Larkin house just northeast of Samuel Spof- 
ford's. 

A sad mishap as often told, 

Of Deacon G. the story's old ; 

To patch the barn was his intent, 

But this he did before up he went, 

Tied by a rope secure which led 

From plow below to leg o'er head. 

The Deacon slipped through want of care, 

Down came he hanging in mid-air ; 

He yelled and screeched— perhaps he swore, 

As deacons did some years before. 

This hubbub caused the Deacon's wife 

To go at once and save his life. 

•Jauu-s Goddard, 2d, m. Keziah, dau. of Ephraim 
Fairbanks, Tuly 28, 1785; ^^e lived awhile m the 
old house built by Josiah Wilson on the fann 
owned bv C. ^I. Sawyer, but finally rem. to the 
old homestead and there spent the remamder of his 
days- he was a shrewd money-getting man; was 
alwavs interested in town affairs and a willmg sup- 
porter of the church. Had by his wife, Keziah, 
James, b. Feb. 6, 1786, d. Nov. 4, 1801; Betsey, b. 
Oct 6 1787, d. March 10, 1808 ; William, b. Feb. 22, 
1789 d. Jan. 18, 1808, was a student in Leicester 
Academv preparatory for the ministry; Jacob, b. 
Mav 6, i'79i ; Ephraim, b. June 19, i793; I^eziah, b. 
July 4, 1795, d. 1796; Keziah, b 1796, d 1807; 
Jabez,b. 1807, d. 1811; Rebecca, b. Jan. 18, 1801, 
m Theodore Nourse; 2d, m. Calvin Smith; Eusebia, 
b Mav 5, 1804, m. Calvin Smith in 1828, she d. m 



364 HISTORY OF THE 

1841 ; James, 3d, b. March 8, 1806. Of eleven 
children six d. young. James, 2d, d. June 19, 1842. 
Keziah, his wid., d. in 1848. 

James Goddard, 3d, m. Betsey, dau. of Samuel 
Spofford, vSr., Nov. 12, 1824; he settled on the 
farm which then belonged to his father, but is 
now owned by Charles M. Sawyer; he sold his farm 
to Dea. George W. Saw3'er, and went to jNIaine, 
leaving his family behind. His wife, Betsey, d. and 
he soon after m. again. He d. in Manchester, N. H. 
Had by his wife, Betsey, Catherine B. vSawyer, b. 
April 5. 1825, d. Nov. 1 1, 1838; vSamucl W. Emerson, 
b. March 23, 1827, m., Nov. 3, 1853, Sophia Dwight, 
dau. of Myron Lawrence of Belchertown, where he 
settled in the practice of law; Christiana W., b. ]\Iarch 
I, 1829, m. Harvey Carter of Marlboro, he d. April 

22. 1872, she m., 2d, Brethwaite of Marlboro ; 

Lucy, b. March 26, 1831, m. Isaiah H. Beals of West- 
boro; James Richardson, b. March 21, 1834, m. 
Harriet M. Jennison of Southboro Oct. 18, 1854; he 
lived awhile in Southboro and later in Nonantum, 
and has held prominent positions and public trusts in 
both places; Benjamin F., b. June 12, 1836, d. July 
24, i860; Betsey S., b. Dec. 11, 1838, m. Henry E. 
Graves of Marlboro; Catherine, b. June i, 1841, m., 
June 10, 1856, Henry Greenwood of Marlboro; Pliny 
M.. b. Feb. 13, 1844, m. Mary E. Wood Dec. 7, 1865, 
she d. in 1872, he m., 2d, Mary S. Fairbrother; 
Virgil, b. Dec. 15, 1846, m. Orilla J. Bemis of South- 
boro Nov. 26, 1867. None of the family are now 
living in town. 

EpJiraivi Goddard, s. of James, 2d, m. Alary Bige- 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



;65 



low dau. of Bannister Bigelow, she d. and he m., 
.d her sister, Sophia, Sept. 28, 1818 ; he lived at first 
on the Dea. George Sawyer place, thence rem. to the 
farm now owned by his s., Marcus M. ; he demohshed 
the old house and erected the one now standmg on 
the place. Had bv his wife, Sophia, Betsey F., b. 
March 8, 1819, d. 1834; William F., b. May 19, 1820, 
m Marv Brvant, he d. March 15, 1874, res., Rock- 
bottom'; Marv E., b. July 19, 1825, m. William H. 
Frv John A.', b. July 1 1, 1827, m. Augusta Brigham, 
dau' of George Brigham of Hudson; he kept a store 
in the south part, where Edward P. Hastings now 
lives- has since resided in Rockbottom, Hudson and 
Stow and now lives in Westboro, was a soldier m 
the late war; Alvira, b. Oct. 29, 1829, m. Baxter 
Wheeler of Hudson; Jabez F., b. July 22, 1832, m. 
Sarah Cotton, has lived in Chattanooga and Nashville, 
Tenn and is now in California; Zilpah, b. Oct. 15, 
1835 m George F. Fry; ^larcus Morton (named for 
Gov.' Morton), b. April 28, 1840, unm., res. on the 
father's old place and has always been engaged m 
shoemakmg; he carries on his farm and ''keeps old 
bachelor's hall," and is now the only Goddard left 
in town; Silas E.,b. March 24, 1842, went to the 
war and d. in the service; his name will appear m 
the Ust of soldiers; Augusta V., b. May 22, 1844, m 
George H. Bruce Oci. .4, 1862. Ephraim Goddard 
d. June 7, 1871; his wife, Sophia, d. March, 1890, 
with her dau., Mary E., in Marlboro. 

Jacob Goddard, s. of James, 2d, m., April 10, 18 11, 
Abigail Morse of Marlboro; she d. Oct. 10, 18 14; he 
m ^d Marv H. Sawyer of Bolton; he lived at first 



366 HISTORY OF THE 

on his grandfather. Ephraim Fairbanks', phace, in the 
north part of the town, near the eorner, beyond Mrs. 
IMerrill's ; the buildings are now gone ; he afterwards 
bought a farm in Bolton; he became a Millerite; 
gave his farm for his support until he should "go up,'' 
but didn't go at the time fixed upon, so became 
destitute in his old age. Had by his wife, Abigail, 
William, b. Nov. 19, 181 3, d. in 1834. He d. June 
17, 1870; wid. d. . 

GOTT. 

Dr. Lcviucl (jott, s. of John, b. in Gloucester, now 
Rockport, Dec. 23, 1808, m., June 22, 1836, Mary, b. 
Oct. 7, 181 2, dau. of Levi vShaw of Minot, Me.; he 
was the sixth in descent from Charles Gott, who set- 
tled in Salem in 1628; he was educated at Hampton 
Academy, X. H., and Bowdoin College, and was a 
graduate of the Harvard Medical vSchool and practiced 
at the Marine Hospital in CheLsea as a student; he 
practiced in Rockport from 1836 to 1854; at the latter 
date he rem. to Berlin and went into partnership with 
Dr. E. Hartshorn in the manufacture of patent 
medicines and family extracts, and also in medical 
practice ; they soon dissolved the copartnership, and 
he continued as the sole resident physician here to 
the time of his death. From, early manhood he was 
largel}' interested in all reform moveinents ; was a 
prominent member of the Free vSoil party and an 
active advocate of temperance, and in town affairs 
gave his influence in favor of all measures tending 
to the commonweal. Had three children b. in 
Rockport: Lemuel, b. Feb. 26, 1840, was a soldier 
in the late war, d. Aug. 29, 1 864 ; Mary Elizabeth, b. 




LEMUEL GOTT, M. D. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 367 

June 12, 1842, m. Frederick Miller; James G.,b. Jan. 
23, 1845, d. young. Dr. Gott d. June 12, 1888 ; M'id. 
d. Aug. 13, 1893. 

GRASSIE. 

Alexander Grassie was a s. of George Grassie, and 
bro. of George B. Grassie, late of Bolton. The 
family came from Scotland and settled in Bolton in 
1843. The mother of Alexander was sister to the 
wife of Rev. Henr}" Adams. He m. Mary IM., dan. 
of Joseph Flagg, Dec. 28, 1853 ; had William 
Alexander, b. Feb. 24, 1855, m. Charlotte Barnes of 
Ohio; res., North Dakota. Alexander Grassie was 
associated with Levi Hartshorn in the manufacture 
of boots and shoes, 1850 to 1856, firm known as 
Grassie & Hartshorn. On account of financial 
trouble, he left suddenly Jan. 10, 1856, for parts 
unknown and has never returned ; his wife, ]\Iarv 
M., res. in Worcester. 

GKEEXLIEF. 

Silas Sazvyer Greenlief, b. Alarch 4, 18 14, s. of Moses 
and Experience (wSawyer) Greenlief of Bolton, and a 
descendant of Edmund, who settled in Newburv in 
1635, m.. May 30, 1838, Sarah Nowell of Lancaster; 
he first lived on the Daniel Carter farm, the place 
now owned by Mr. Carville, but soon rem. to Wata- 
quodock hill in Bolton ; returned to town and bought 
the Oliver Carter farm, where he continued till his 
death, March 22, 1892 ; wife d. March 10, 1892. Had 

Alice E., b. Dec. 26, 1849, ^^- Lampson; 

Sarah L., b. July 4, 1854, m. vSamuel M. Carter 
March 4, 1875. 



368 HISTORY OF THE 

GRIGGS. 
Dr. Saunicl Griggs from Saxon River, Vt., was the 
successor of Dr. Daniel Briijham in 1824; he con- 
tinued here in successful practice until 1831, when 
he rem. to West Boylston and thence to Westboro 
in 1848, where he d. in 1879 at 86 yrs. Hem. Sarah 
Bancroft of Rindge, N. H., by whom he had Samuel 
M., b. 1822, who became a prominent citizen of 
Westboro. Dr. Griggs was a pupil of the renowned 
Dr. Twitchell of Keene, N, H. 

GREEN. 

All of the name in this town are evidently descend, 
ants of Aaron Greene, who settled in the northwest 
part of the town of Northboro ; the place is still known 
as the "Green farm." He had one s. and one dau., who 
became citizens of Berlin, viz. : Jonathan and 
vSib}^, the latter m. William Babcock, Sr. ; another 
s., Nathan, who remained on the home place, was 
the father of Peter, who was the father of Edward 
F. Green of our town, and another s. of Nathan, 
Aaron, who m. Lydia, dau, of Moses Goddard, was 
a res. here for many years. Nathan was in battle 
of Btmker Hill. 

Aaron Green, s. of Nathan and Abigail Williams 
Green of Hubbardston, m., Nov. 17, 1793, Lydia, dau. 
of Moses Goddard; he resided on the Fuller place in 
Carterville at one time. Had Solomon, b. Sept 29, 
1794; Lydia, b. Aug. 30, 1798, m. Parker Longley of 
Boylston, she d. 1873; Levi, b. Oct. 12, 1801; Asa, 
b. Nov. 10, 1804, d. 1824, by explosion of some mix- 
ture for liquid blacking. William, b. May 17, 1807; 
Oliver, b. Nov. 13, 1809; Anna, b. April 12, 18 12, m. 




M K-;. I.I Mill. (IdTT. 




Dr. Gott's Mouse. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 369 

Russell Park, d. early ; Lambert, b. April 13, 18 14. 
Charles Roscoe, 2d s., rem. to Maine and became 
somewhat eminent in the politics of that state; 
before leaving his native town he taught private 
grammar classes with success. Aaron d. Jan. i, 
1840, at 70 yrs. 

So/oijwii Green, s. of Aaron, m., March 20, 18 17, 
Mrs. Parnell (Bruce) Bennett, wid. of Josiah Bennett 
of Boylston, res. in an old house where A. B. Saw- 
yer's now stands. She had by ist m., Josiah; bv 2d 
m., had Dolly, Lydia and George. 

Jonathan Green, s. of Aaron of Northboro and bro. 
of Nathan, m. dau. of Abijah Pratt; lived here a few 
years in the Abijah Pratt house. No other record. 

Levi Green, s. of Aaron, m. Achsah, dau. of Jacob 
vStone, Nov. 5, 1829; settled in Clinton ; of six children 
not one is now living ; he was an enterprising citizen 
of the town of his adoption and did much to promote 
its highest interests. His wife, Achsah, d. Oct. i, 
1843 ; he m., 2d, Lucy Harris of Lunenburg. 

Eck^'ard F. Green, s. of Peter of Northboro, m., 
March 5, 1848, Louisa A., dau. of Leonard Hartwell; 
he lived at first in the west part and built the house 
recently owned by Rev. Francis Rand, about 18 50; 
his present place is the old Holder farm in the east 
part. Had Abbie L., b. Nov. 26, 1849, m. J. Henry 
Sawyer; Alonzo F., b. Dec. 13, 185 i ; Chester O., b. 
Aug. 23, 1853, res., Westboro; Charles H.,b. Aug. 7, 

1855, m. Emma Carter, she d. , res., Marlboro; 

John E., b. July 17, 1859, m. , res., Overbrook, 

Kansas; Walter, b. July 8, 1863, d. young; Alice vS., 
b. May 4, 1867. Wife. Louisa, d. Feb. 2, 1870; he 



370 HISTORY OF THE 

m., 2d, March 28, 1871, ]\lrs. Sarah A. (Menser) Styles 
of Boylston, b. Feb. 12, 1835. 

Alon:^o F. Green, s. of Edward F., m. ]Mary A., dau. 
of David A. Fry of Bolton , he is a mason by trade, 
and res. on the place formerly owned by Elijah 
Bigelow. Had Edith L., b. Dec. 13, 1872; Sarah 
M., b. Dec. 4, 1874, d. Jan. 21, 1892; Edward F., b. 
Dec. 28, 1876; Fred A., b. Dec. 21, 1878; Blanche 
A., b. Oct. 31, 1882; Clifton J., b. April 9, 1885; 
Jesse M., b. Jan. 22, 1888; Marion H., b. May 31, 
1889. 

GUERTIN. 

Theodore G Iter till, s. of Joseph of Fairfield, Vt., m. 
Clara Estelle, dan. of Israel vSawyer, Aug. 29, 1868; 
he is a blacksmith and wheelwright ; house on the 
Clinton road on a part of the Esquire Alerriam place. 
Had Alice, b. 1868, m. Harry Betts ; Edna Z., b. 
Sept. 2, 1873 : Augustus E., b. Oct. 22, 1881. 

GUNNISON. 

Horaee A. Guiiiiisoii oi l^Qva-psier, N. H., m., June 
10, 1866, Mrs. Emily (Wheeler) Pierce, dau. of Jona- 
than Wheeler, s. of Levi ; he built a house in 
Carterville, which was burned, just north of the Oliver 
Smith place; res., Hudson, and is a shoemaker. Had 
Alvin W., b. P^eb. 18, 1869; Mary. Etta, b. Dec. 18, 
1877. 

James Hoyt Gunnison, brother of the above, m. 
Matilda J., dau. of Samuel H. Hastings, June 17, 
1874; he built the house in Carterville, where 
Benajah Barnard now lives. He d. April 8, 1 880, age 




MR. AND MRS. EDWARD F. GREENE. 




CHARLES M. SAWYER'S HOUSE. 





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LEONARD HARTVVELL. 

MKS. ADAM BAKTLETT, 

THDMAS HOLDER. 



<.Kim(,h iioL GinuN. 

FREDERICK E. HEUARD. 

DANIEL HOLDER. 



.MK.S. I., il AK 1 W l:.LL. 

.SAMUEL HOLDER. 
MR.S. IR.A HAPGOOD. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 371 

33. Had Westley, d. in infancy; Elno, b. Aug. 26, 
1875, d. in Grafton. Wid. m., 2d, George H. Hast- 
ings, lives in Grafton. 

HALE. 

Jonas Hale, s. of Ephraim of Stow, m. Sarah, dau. of 
Amory Carter, Sr., 1830; he lived on the Dea. Josiah 
Sawyer place, now owned by Willard Bruce. Had 
Lucinda, b. April i, 1831, m. John Robbins ; Abigail 
A., b. Dec. 14, 1833, d. Jan. 4, 1840; Henrietta C, b. 
April 19, 1836, d. June 18, 1847; Sarah Ann, b. 
March 17, 1842, m. Zoheth B. Woodbury; Jonas E., 
b. Feb. 21, 1846, d. Nov., 1846. He d. April 23, 
1846, age 41 ; his wid. m. Elijah Bigelow. 

Thomas Hale from Leominster m. Mrs. Eliza Chase 
of Marlboro. She by former husband had Caroline, 
b. Nov. 15, 1838, m. David Bride; Charles F., b. Dec. 
5, 1842; Elizabeth, b. , m. Charles H. But- 
trick. He d. Feb. 28, 1891, at 66. vShe d. Aug. 4, 
1895. 

Charles F. Hale m. Caroline E. Wyman; shed.; 
m., 2d, Nov. 9, 1872, Nancy S. Hastings of Boylston; 
res.. Stetson house in middle of the town. Had R. 
Burton, b. July 8, 1876; Charles F., b. Feb. 3, 1880; 
George W., b. Sept. 30, 1886; Marion S., b. Aug. 21, 
1891. 

HAPGOOi). 

William G. Hapgood, b. Dec. 2, 1819, s. of Thomas 
of Marlboro, m. Caroline B. Howe, dau. of Lyman; 
is a carpenter and built the house in which he now 
lives, at South Berlin. Had Caroline Eldora, b. 
Nov. 15, 1845, m. John O. Maynard; Abbie A., b. 



372 HISTORY OF THE 

Jan. 3, 1847, '^^- N- H. Cartwright ; Mary R., h. 
June II, 1850, d. Aug. 11, 1858; John W., b. Nov. 
29, 1852; Erving E., b. Mar. 21, 1865. "Wife d. 

March 24, 1889. 

HARPER. 

James B. Harper, b. in England in 1796, m. Judith 
Carter. Came here 1855. He d. May 14, i860, at 64; 
she d. Aug. 22, 1870, age 73. Had i\ugustus, b. Jan. 
10, 1840; James H., b. in West Roxbur}- March 22, 
1837 ; vSarah E., b. Dec. 14, 1833, m. Merrick R. Rand. 

HARTWELL. 

Leonard HartivelLh. Aug. 25, 1795. s. of Jonathan 
of Leominster, m., Oct. 8, 1 8 1 8, Abigail, b. May 3, 1 797, 
dau. of Joel and Lucy Pierce, who d. here. He lived 
first at W^est Bo3dston, where his four oldest children 
were b. ; came to W^est Berlin about 1830; he built a 
two-story house, which was burned in 1 8 5 1 , and soon 
erected another on the same spot ; rem. to Hopedale 
in 1854; returned here in 1864, and d. where D. H. 
Carter now lives, June 11, 1870. Wife d. Nov. 21, 
1877. Had Harriet Moore, b. Dec. i, 18 19, m. 
Michael Fanning, she d. Jan. 9, 1841, d., also, same 
mo., her infant child; Chaunce}' Pierce, b. Ma}- 20, 
1821; Lucy Ann, b. Aug. 3, 1822, m. Daniel H. 
Carter; George Emerson, b. May 24, 1824, m. Celia 
Clausky April 22, 1849, res. in W^estboro; Louisa 
Abigail, b. July 2, 1827, m. Edward F. Green; Emily 
Pollard, b. June 27, 1829, m. Edwin vSawyer ; Charles 
Henry, b. Jan. 28, 1831. m., in 1853, Elizabeth Fuller, 
he d. in Clinton; Mary Jane, b. June 5, 1833, m. 
Pliny B. wSouthwick; Daniel Pollard, b. May 5, 1835. 




EDWARD HARTSHORN, M. D. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 373 

Chauiu-cy P. HartivcW, Leonard', m., Jan. 4, 1844, 
:\Iary Ann, dati. of Daniel Carter; he lived on his 
father's old place in the west part; rem. to James- 
town, N. Y. Wife d. in 1893. Had Edward, b. 
Dec. 8, 1844. d. unm.; Ella L., b. March 31, 1848, m. 
John D. Babcock; Sarah H., b. Oct. 21, 1854; Hattie 
H., b. Sept. 2, 1856; Eugene, b. April 4, 1859; Lewis 
E., b. vSept. 2, 1863; Anna L., b. 1865. 

Daniel P. Hartivdl\ Leonard', m., Nov. 5, 1854, 
Susan R. Moore, sister of Ezra and Josiah; he is a 
carpenter and lives near the depot in Carterville. 
Had by Susan, James A., b. Sept., 1861, res., Cleve- 
land, O. Wife, Susan, d. Sept. 17, 1861 ; m., 2d, 
Ellen M. W^heeler, dau. of Jonathan, s. of Levi, and 
by her had Bertillo L., b. March 31, 1865, m. Grace 
E. Smiley, res., Fitchburg; Susan L., b. April 9, 
1 87 1, m. George E. Andrews. 

HARTLEY. 
James B. Hartley, b. in Boston, 18 18, of English 
parents; he returned with them to England and there 
remained till 1855, when he came back to America, 
m. Abbie Elmira (Wheeler) :Merrill Nov. 28, 1868; 
he res. with her on Wheeler hill. She d. Feb. 2 1 , 
1895, and he d. Feb. 22, 1895; the funeral of both 
was at the same time. 

HARTSHORN. 

The name is modern in Berlin. Reading seems to 
have been the fountain head. Edward Hartshorn 
and three bros. located in Amherst, N. H. He had 
Levi, Jotham and Lucy. Of these, Levi m. Hannah 



374 



HISTORY OF THE 



Elliot and graduated at Dartmonth College, and was 
ordained pastor of the Congregational Church in 
Gloucester. He d. suddenly of fever. Left two 
sons, Edward and Samuel ; Samuel d. young. The 
wid. settled in Reading. Her s., Edward, walked 
back and forth from there to the Medical College of 
Harvard University; graduated there in 1840; he 
settled in Berlin the same year, being 23 yrs. of age, 
the youngest physician in the county. His mothei 
d. here Oct. 18, 1867, aged 78 yrs. 

Dr. Reheard Hartshorn m. Lucy Elizabeth, dau. of 
Solomon Howe, ]\Iay 13, 1841 ; he lived on the place 
now owned by Nellie vSawyer and Mary Keyes ; he 
followed his profession till, on account of ill health, he 
sold his practice to Dr. Lemuel Gott, and entered 
into the manufacture of medicine and flavoring ex- 
tracts ; he transferred his business to Boston, and in 
1 87 1 rem. with his family to Somerville, his present 
res. Had Edward Howe, b. Dec. 16, 1842; William 
Henry, b. Sept. 21, 1846. In 1878 he engaged as 
foremost in the development of the Golden Cross, a 
family protecting fraternity, which has already paid 
several millions of dollars to families of deceased 
members. He also established the Golden Cross 
Journal, a widel}' circulated and influential paper, 
and at the age of 78 still conducted it. 

Edzcard H. Hartshorn, s. of Dr. Edward, m. Lucinda 
H., adopted dau. of Rev. William A. Houghton, May 
28, 1869; he lived with Mr. Houghton and was en- 
gaged in business with his father. Had by Lucinda, 
Mary Grace, b. Feb. 25, 1871 ; William Addison, b, 
Feb. 28, 1874, and Solomon Henry, who d. an infant 




M 



RS. EDWARD HARTSHORN. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



375 



with its mother, Dec. 26. 1876. He m., 2d, Oct. 7, 
1880, Louisa vS., dau. of R. S. Hastings, by whom he 
had Lucinda Howe, b. Oct. 8, 1881 ; Ralph E., b. 
Oct. 21, 1883; Edward Howe, b. June 8, 1887. He 
d. Jan. 8, 1887. 

Williavi H. Hartshorn, s. of Dr. Edward, m., Ma}- 
28, 1869, Ellen A., dau. of James F. Maynard of Clin- 
ton : he lives in Somerville and carries on the medicine 
and extract business, originally established bv his 
father in Berlin ; his parents reside with him. Had 
Edward H., b. July 13, 1870 ; James Henry, b. Nov. 
I, 1874. In 1895 he purchased the Solomon Howe 
estate (his grandfather) and resides upon it during 
the summer months. 

Levi Hartshorn, s. of Jotham of Amherst, N. H., 
m. Harriet Holman ; he was of the firm of Grassie & 
Hartshorn, who manufactured boots in a shop (now 
burned) about 1850. He lived in the house built by 
Dr. E. Hartshorn, later owned by Fred Miller. Wife 
d. Oct. 22. 1864; adopted dau., Agnes, d. March 6, 
1 87 1 , at 9 yrs. He returned to Amherst and m. Mrs. 
E. (Melindy) Page. Had s., Charles P. He d. Sept. 
7, 1872. 

HASTINGS. 

P'our branches of this family of ancient history 
have given character to Berlin. It is pleasant to 
know that we have some earl}- blood in America 
besides the British and Irish. No doubt the Hast- 
ings are true Danes. Thomas, b. in England in 
1605, and Margaret Cheney of Roxbury are the 
progenitors. 



376 HISTORY OF THE 

NatJianiel Hastings, b. 1738, s. of Nathaniel of 
Boylston and of the fourth generation from Thomas, 
m. Elizabeth Goodnow and settled in the west part 
of Berlin, next to the Clinton line, in 1765 ; he was a 
soldier in the French and Indian war in 1755-62, and 
also in the Revolutionary- service. Had Frances, 
settled at the West; Abel, d. in infancy; Parney, m. 
Moses Chase of Groton; Nathaniel, settled in vS tan- 
stead, Canada; Sylvanus, settled in Wardsboro, Vt. ; 
Elizabeth, d. in Berlin, age 12 yrs. ; Nahum, b. 1779, 
settled in Oakham; Reuben, b. Aug. 5, 1781 ; Benja- 
min, b. 1783, m., Dec. 17, 1805, Abigail Hager of 
Waltham; he settled in Shirley, d. there, had s., 
Benjamin, now living in Hudson ; Thomas, b. Jan. 
8, 1786, d. in Berlin June 12, 18 13, of typhus fever, 
two mos. after marriage. Nathaniel, Sr., d. in 1820, 
at 82 ; wife d. in 1830 at 87. 

Reuben Hastings, s. of Nathaniel, Jr., m., Aug. i, 
1804, Hannah, dau. of Rev. Reuben Puffer; settled 
on the homestead of his father. He d. Nov. i, 1873, 
at 92; she d. Sept. 20, 1870, at 84. Had Lucy, b. 
May 8, 1805, m. William P. Homer of Boston; 
Elizabeth, b. May 4, 1807, m. Alexander S. Randall, 
res., Newton; Joel, b. Oct. 9, 1809, res., ]\Iarlboro; 
Reuben, b. Jan. 27, 1812; Hannah P., b. Dec. 13, 
1813, d. Jan. 10, 1816; Anna P., b. April 30, 1815, 
m., April i, 1840, Warren Hunt of Wayland, he d. 
at Newton by railroad accident April 30, 1846, no 
children; Thomas, b. Jan. 24, 18 18, m. Elizabeth I. 
Houghton of Bolton April, 1 849, where he settled, 
was a soldier in the late war, v>^ounded at Antietam 
and d. in hospital at Philadelphia Sept. 24, 1862, 




WILLIAM H. HARTSHORN. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 37 7 

wife d. May 26, 1 860 (they had two children, viz. :. 
Alonzo F., b. Jan. 12, 1850, and Mary E., b. Sept. 
21, 1852); Nathaniel, b. Oct. 3, 1820, m., Jan. 22, 
1843, Ai^i^ Elizabeth Packard, granddau. of Rev. 
Asa Packard of Marlboro, is a farmer, settled in 
Boylston; Sarah P., b. Dec. 26, 1822; Charles H., b. 
Sept. 10, 1825, lived on the home place; Oliver P., 
b. Oct. 20, 1828, m. Hannah A. Bryant of Alarlboro, 
she d. Nov., 1857, he is a clerk in Boston. 

Reuben Hastings'", Jr., s. of Reuben", Nathaniel', m. 
Caroline Hall Sept. 15, 1836, res., the old homestead; 
he d. July 20, 1864. Had Ellen E., b. Sept. 13, 
1837; Emily A., b. April 17, 1840; Augustus I., b. 
Oct. 6, 1842; Stella F., b. Jan. 6, 1846; Charles, b. 
Aug. 3, 1848. 

Ephraini Hastings, s. of Silas and Hannah (Reed) 
Hastings of Boylston, b. Feb. 4, 1783, m. Achsah 
Sawyer of Lancaster ; he settled in the east part of 
Boylston in the Six Nations district as a farmer, and 
continued there until he rem. to the Nathan Johnson 
place in South Berlin in 1834. His wife, Achsah, d. 
in 1829, by whom he had Christopher Sawyer, b. 
Dec. 2, 181 5; Abigail, b. June 11, 18 16, m. Levi 
Bigelow, Jr., of Marlboro Feb. 4, 1846 ; also had four 
others who d. in infancy. Hem., 2d, Almira, dau. of 
Dr. Reuben Puffer. He d. Aug. 23, 1855; wid., 
Almira, d. July 11, 1879. 

Christopher Sazoyer Hastings, s. of Ephraim, m. 
Cordelia, dau. of Levi Bigelow, Sr., of Marlboro, Jan. 
1 , 1 840 ; he succeeded his father on the old Johnson 
homestead; when the war broke out, although ex- 



37^ HISTORY OF THE 

empt from service by reason of age, lie enlisted Aug. 
I, 1862; he was promoted to the captaincy of Co. I, 
36 Regt., Mass. \'ols. ; was at the battle of Freder- 
icksburg; went with the Ninth Army Corps to 
Vicksburg and shared in the capture of Jackson, 
]\Iiss. ; here he had the small-pox ; recovering from 
this and on his way to Kentucky he was seized with 
malarial fever and d. at I^Iound City, 111., Sept. 8, 
1863; his body was interred at Berlin with military 
honors Sept. 16, 1863. Had Ellen, b. June 9, 1841, 
m. Daniel A. White of Clinton June 20, 1861 ; Ruth- 
ven, b. July 30, 1843 ; Arthur, 1). Dec. 9, 1846; Leslie, 
b. April 15, 1849. 

Rut liven Hastings, s. of Christopher vS., m. Caroline, 
dau. of Aaron Morse, April 18, 1867; he remained on 
the homestead with his bro., Arthur, in management 
of the farm, and in trade at South Berlin under firm 
name of Hastings Bros. He d. March 7, 1893. Had 
Eva M., b. Jan. 30, 1868. 

Arthui- Hastings, s. of Christopher vS., m. Emma F., 
dau. of Francis R. Boyce, Aug. 10, 1881; was asso- 
ciated with his bro. as above, and representative to 
the General Court in 1894. Had Ralph B., b. Dec. 
I, 1882, d. young; Florence E., b. Feb. 9, 1886. 

Leslie Hastings, s. of Christopher S., m. Mary Grace, 
dau. of Solomon H. Howe of Bolton, March 9, 1882; 
he graduated at Harvard College; was admitted to 
the bar in Boston, where he practiced law in the 
office of his uncle, E. M. Bigelow. Had Ethel, b. 

Sept. 20, 1883, d. ; Leslie, b. Oct. 9, 1885. He 

d. May 31, 1887, res., Cambridge, where his wid. still 
resides. 



TOWN OF BERLIN'. 3 79 

Henry Hastings, b. Dec. 24, 1798, s. of Capt. Henry 
Hastings of Northboro, m. Mary Hutchinson of New 
Hampshire Dec, 1825; the}- had seven children, all 
of whom were born before he came to Berlin ; he 
settled in the south part on the place now owned by 
Adin B. Allen ; before coming to Berlin he lived in 
Boston; was a hotel keeper there, and res. in other 
places. Had Mary Ann, b. in Boston March 27, 
1827, m. C. C. Thurston of Boston Feb. 8, 1847; she 
d. Nov., 1852, leaving two children; Samuel Henry, 
b. at Middleboro March 20, 1830; Elizabeth L., b. at 
Freetown Sept. 16, 1832, m. William H. Paige of 
vSouth Boston ; Susan M., b. at Freetown Dec. 16, 
1834, m., Jan., 1854, David B. Jones of vSouth Boston; 
.she d. June 8, 1865; Edward P., b. at Northboro 
March 20, 1836; James M., b. at Northboro April 6, 
1839: Henrietta J., b. Dec. 6, 1843, m. Spencer C. 
Chamberlin. 

Sanincl H. Hastings, s. of Henry, Jr., m., Jan. i, 
1853, Harriet Jane, dau. of Daniel Barnes; he is a 
carpenter ; owned the mills at one time at the south 
part ; rem. to Grafton ; res. now in Worcester. Had 
Matilda Jane, b. vSept. 18, 1855, m. J. Hoyt Gunnison; 
m., 2d, George H. Hastings of Grafton; Lunette M., 
b. Dec. 24, 1858, m. Robert W. McOrmand of Clin- 
ton, had four children ; Leo Lincoln, b. July 1 1 , 
1865, m. Mary S. Nelson, had five children, res., 
Grafton; Herman S., b. Feb. 2, 1873. 

Edivard P, Hastings, s. of Henry, Jr., m. Sarah E., 
dau. of Winsor Maynard, April 24, 1865; he is a 
shoemaker; res. in South Berlin. Had David C, b. 
April 13, 1866; Clarence E., b. May 15, 1872; Mary 



380 HISTORY OF THE 

L., b. Feb. 17, 1874, m. Raymond Coolidge. Wife, 
Sarah, d. Sept. 12, 1875; m., 2d, Alvira A. Gardner, 
Sept. 13, 1877 ; divorced; had by Alvira, Sarah 'M., b. 
Aug. 8, 1878. 

James M. Hastings, s. of Henry, Jr., m., Nov. 20, 
1862, Lucy A. Atherton, a protege of Elisha M. 
Whitney ; he also is by trade a shoemaker, and res. 
in South Berlin ; has two sons, viz.: 

Henry IVhitncy Hastings, s. of James M., b. Sept. 5, 
1863; he graduated at the Boston School of Oratory 
and is now teacher of elocution in Moody's school, 
near Northfield (Sli. Hermon), m. Annie George of 
Delaware. 

Atherton Hastings, bro. of Henry W., b. Sept. 7, 
1868 ; a law student in Boston. 

David C. Hastings, s. of Edward P., m. Carolyn L., 
dau. of John F. Bennett, Nov. 19, 1890; is a shoe- 
maker; res. with Mr. Bennett. 

Rnfns Saiuyer Hastings, b. Nov. 10, 1825, s. of 
Rufus and Isabella (Howe) Hastings of Sterling, m. 
Louisa S. Blood of Worcester Jan. 3, 1849; he was 
a successor of others in the Howe store at Berlin 
Centre. He d. July 5, 1874, at 49. Had George R., 
b. April 15, 1855, d. June 19, 1856; Louisa wS., b. 
May 9, 1858, m. Edward H. Hartshorn; Sarah L, 
b.- Feb. 5, 1869, d. unm. Nov. 14, 1893, by being 
thrown from a carriage at West Berlin against an 
abutment of the C. M. R. R. bridge. 

IIAYNES. 

Samuel Morse Hayjies, s. of Emory, b. in Wayland 
Feb. 24, 1832, m. Julia A. Houghton, dau. of Stephen, 






Mks. C. S. Hastings 



UriiivKN IlAsriN<;s. 



Leslie Hastinc.s, Esri^ 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 38 1 

in Bolton March 26, 1856; he enhsted in Co. F, 13th 
Regt., and when his term of service expired he re-en- 
listed in Co. F, 59th Regt.; was wounded Sept. 
30, 1862, in the battle of Poplar Grove Church, 
from the effects of which he lost a leg. The 
family came to Berlin in 1862, and a few years 
later he bought the Joshua Johnson farm in 
South Berlin ; later he purchased the blacksmith 
shop and business in Carterville, living in the 
Fuller house; in 1883 he removed to Hudson. 
Children: Anna, b. vSept. 14, 1857; Olive, b. Dec. 
3, 1859; both the children were born in Bolton, 
from which town they came to Berlin. 

HEB.\RI). 

Everett A. Hebard, from North Brookfield, m. Ella 
A., dau. of Frederick Miller Jan. 12, 1871 ; shoe- 
maker. Had Frederick E., b. Sept. i, 1875. 

HOAR. 

Two of this name were occupants of a tract of land 
northwest of the Sanderson Carter place, about 1 790 ; 
the land is still known by that name. Joseph Hoar 
m. Sophia Bigelow, dau. of Augustus, Aug. 18, 
1 790 ; David Hoar m. Lucy Whitcomb in 1 794 ; 
m., 2d, Nancy Moore in 1802; by her had Sanford, 
Anna and Eliza. 

IIOLBROOK. 

Isaac Holbrook, b. Dec. 17, 1837, from Hamden, 
Me., m. Persis J., dau. of Capt. John D. Merrill, Nov. 
I. 1857; he resides in Carterville, nearly opposite the 
blacksmith shop; is a shoemaker and farmer. Had 



38 2 HISTORY OF THE 

Cora Belle, b. July 12, 1858, m. Arthur Pierce of 
Concord; Grace Lille, b. x\pril 8, i860, m. Walter 
Rice of Clinton. 

Daniel Holbrook, blacksmith in the west part about 
1830-40 ; m. Hannah, wid. of Amasa Holt, Dec. 21, 
1828. vShe d. Sept. 8, 1843; he died a short time 
before, no date ; res., the old Barber house. 

HOLDER. 

Daniel Holder, b. about 1720, came directly from 
England ; lived in Nantucket in 1 760 ; a shipwright ; 
his wife's name was Hannah ; this marriage is on the 
records of Nantucket; this is as far back as we can 
go. Thomas, his s., b. on the island of Nantucket in 
1756, m. Sarah Gaskill of Mendon, now Blackstone, 
about 1778 ; he came to Berlin during the last decade 
of the last century ; built the house upon the long 
known Holder place, now owned by Edward Greene ; 
his wife was a preacher among the Friends, He d. 
Feb., 1830, aged 75 yrs. ; his wid. d. Nov. 6, 1836, 
aged "J"] yrs. Their children were: Phebe; Han- 
nah; Joseph; David: Daniel, 2d, b. ^May 19, 1791; 
Thomas, 2d, b. June 6, 1794; John, b. July 22, 1799; 
Phebe m. Silas Coolidge of Bolton, d. 1832; Hannah 
d. in Berlin April 20, 1848: Joseph and David settled 
in Bolton ; Joseph d. in 1 867 ; David d. in 1 864 ; 
Daniel m. Harriet Hutchins, b. May 13, 1793, of 
Concord, N. H., Sept. 15, 18 19; their children 
were: Maria, b. June 28, 1820, d. Sept. 18, 1863; 
Samuel H., b. Aug. 26, 1821, d. April 24, 1822; 
Samuel, 2d, b. March 2, 1823, m. Louisa M. Rice of 
Marlboro ; Phebe A., b. Nov. 27, 1 824 ; Jane, b. July 30, 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



1827, m. Charles Bigelow of Hudson ; !Mary H., b. July 
8, 1833; Levi H., b. Aug. 17, 1837; lie was a 
musician in the 27th Regt., Mass. Volunteers, d. at 
Andersonville. Daniel lost his right arm by acci- 
dental discharge of a gun May, 1824; built the house 
just north of the homestead, now the home of the 
daus., Phebe and Mary. He d. May 18, 1863; his 
wid. d. Aug. 4, 1 866. Phebe and Mary are graduates 
of the Westfield Normal School ; their life-work 
teaching ; many terms of service both have given in 
the schools of Berlin ; the former taught many years- 
amid the Berkshire hills in the high schools of Lee 
and Hinsdale; delighting in literary pursuits she has 
written much, especially poetry, for various periodi- 
cals. After closing her work in public schools j\lary 
taught in the families of Hon. S. H. Howe of Bolton, 
Judge Dewey of Worcester, Hon. C. G. vStevens of 
Clinton, and Daniel Dewey of Newton. vShe has an 
artist soul, her specialty is in painting — flowers. 

Thomas Holder, 2d, m. Lucy Fosgate. Their 
children were: Lydia V. B., b. Aug. 3, 1834, m. 
Andrew Hubbard of Worcester ; vSusan M., b. Dec. 
20, 1837, m. Theodore Morse of Cleveland, Ohio; 
Sarah G., b. Feb. 5, 1840, m. Edwin Noxon of Buf- 
falo, N. Y. Thomas d. Oct. 20, 1856; his wife d.. 
April 14, 185 I. He lived on the homestead. 

JoJin Holder m. Caroline Russell of Springfield, 
Mass.; twin sons d. in infancy. Had Henry R., b. 
June 9, 1835, res. next east of the old Holder house. 
John d. Feb. 6, 1864; his wid. d. in 1881. He had 
rare musical ability; was a teacher of much note. 

Henry R. Holder, s. of John, m. Almira Crosby of 



384 HISTORY OF THE 

Marlboro, res., East Berlin, in the house built by his 
father; was a soldier in the late war; a musician. 
Had John H. R., b. Feb. 29, i860; Leslie E., b. 
March 19, 1862; Minnie, b. Feb. 13, 1863; Winifred 
E., b. Dec. I, 1864; Herman, b. Dec. 28, 1867; Edith 
I., b. April 20, 1870; Elsie, b. Dec. 25, 1875. 

HOLMAN. 

Auiory Hoi man came from Bolton in 1830, m. Lucy 
AVhitcomb of Bolton in 181 1 and settled on the 
Merrick Rand place; rem. to the Joshua Johnson 
farm, now owned by Adin B. Allen, in 1835. Had 
Nathaniel, b. June 14, 181 3; vSilas W., b. May 16, 
18 14, m. Nancy Turner, m.. 2d, Anna E. Holman, 
he d. Dec. 18, 1855 ; Lucy, b. June 19, 18 16, m. 
Capt. Silas Sawyer ; Roxana, b. Jan. 21, 1818, d. 
Nov. 23, 1846, unm.; Rebecca, b. Oct. 26, 18 19, m. 
Edwin Bathrick, d. Apr. 29, 1861 ; Amor}-, b. Oct. 
24. 1 82 1, iTL. vSarah J. Farwell, m., 2d, Julia Lee, res., 
Bolton, d. Mar. 28, 1895; Jonas, b. Mar. 24, 1824, d. 
May 16, 1843; Mary L., b. Oct. 20, 1826, m. Capt. 
Silas Sawyer; Charles, b. Sept. 29, 1828, d. Oct. 11, 
1857; Emeline, b. May 25, 1831. m. Jonas H. Brown, 
she d. April 22, 1886; Harriet, b. Oct. 18, 1833, m. 
Levi Hartshorn, d. Oct. 22, 1864; Franklin, b. Aug. 
30, 1836, m. Martha Bemis, res., Westboro. He d. 
Jan. 14, 1847; Lucy, wid., d. Aug. 11, 1878, at 83. 

NatJianicl Holman, s. of Amory, m. Mary B., dau. 

of Levi Rice of Marlboro. Had Lucinda, b. , 

d. ; Amory, b. , d. ; and Charles. 

lives in Ohio. Was a soldier in the late war. He d. 
>Sept. 29, 1880; wife d. in Marlboro. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 385 

HOLT. 

Aniasa Holt m. Nabby, dau. of Dr. Benjamin Nourse, 
June 25,1 799 ; the family was first on the Israel Saw- 
yer place in gift to Nabby by her grandf., Benjamin 
Bailey ; was next on her father's place ; sold same to 
Alexander j\Iarsh in 1805, and Marsh sold to Hugh 
Bruce in 1808, and last lived on the old Barber place 
with his second wife. Wife, Nabby, d. July 7, 1807; 
he m., 2d, Hannah Moore April 12, 1808 ; he d. Nov, 3, 
181 5, at 43; was by trade a saddler. Had Eliza, d. 
young ; Laura May, m. Altemont Rice of Northboro ; 
Adaline, m. Amory Wetherbee. Had by Hannah, 
Erskine, b. 18 10; Eliza, and John T. 

Erskine Holt, s. of Amasa, m. Phebe B. Francis of 
Holden. Had John M., b. March 4, 1837; George 

W., b. Feb. 20, 1840; Phebe Ann, b. ; Ange- 

nette, b. Aug. 29, 1842 ; rem. to West Boylston. 

Oscar IV. Holt, from Iowa, s. of Joseph W. and 
Miranda (Shattuck) Holt, m. Grace, dau. of Amos 
Sawyer; he is a shoemaker and lives in Hudson. 
Was a soldier in the late war. 

HOUGHTON. 

Two Houghtons came to Lancaster in its beginning 
in 1652-60. Ralph and John, cousins, were both 
eminent in public esteem and in public service. The 
family of Ralph mostly disappear on the records 
after the Indian massacre in 1676. The families of 
this region are almost wholly of the John Houghton 
line. John was b. in Lancashire, Eng., about 1620. 
His wife's name was Beatrix. Had John, b. 
1650; Robert, b. 1658; Jonas, b. 1660; Benja- 



.386 HISTORY OF THE 

mill, b. 1668; Mary, Beatrix and Sarah were the 
daus. ; his first home was between Clinton and 
South Lancaster on Dean's brook; after the massa- 
cre he settled on the Old Common, south of 
the road, nearly opposite the present Reform School ; 
he possessed a large land estate, situated in 
Berlin, Clinton and Bolton, as the territory of old 
Lancaster is now divided, and extendinc^ from near 
Clamshell pond to the William Fife lands ; thence 
southerly, including Baker hill. These lands were 
designated in ancient deeds by names which forcibly 
remind one of their English origin, such as "Hough- 
ton's park," "Rosemary meadow," "Cranberry mead- 
ow," "Three Fountains meadow," "Little Meadow 
plain," "Job's Corner conveniency." I can locate 
most of these pieces, but the last named piece stag- 
gers me. The Fountains is in the N. M. Allen region; 
"Cranberry meadow" is the northwest corner of Alden 
Sawyer's farm, and "Little Meadow plain" joins it 
and takes in the upland to near the Bolton depot. 
The Beaver dams, named in a deed of Cranberry 
meadow, were visible in our day. John, Sr., d. on 
the old Common in 1684, and on the division of his 
lands his s., John, retained the homestead on the 
Common and gave the land for a meeting-house 
there; Robert settled on what is now called the 
"Acre" in Clinton; Jonas on Vaughn's hill in Bolton, 
and Benjamin on Little Meadow plain, south of Bol- 
ton depot. Of the next generation I can only locate 
Jonathan, s. of John, Jr., on the homestead on the 
Common; Benjamin, Jr., on the Little Meadow plain; 
Cyrus, s. of Ebenezer and grands, of Robert, just 
west of Benjamin, across the Causeway; and John. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 387 

3d, s. of John, Jr., on the Ephraim Goddard farm, 
which he sold to Benjamin Bailey in 1718; John, 
3d, d. in 1724; another John Houghton, called John 
Tirtius, 3d, sold the place "where he lately dwelt" 
to Judge Samuel Baker in 1765. No record of his 
lineage, but his wife was Mary Goddard, the dau. 
of William Goddard, the miller. They rem. to Brat- 
tleboro, Vt., and later to Guilford, where he d. in 
1826, aged loi yrs. 

Cyrus Houghton, s. of Ebenezer and grands, of 
Robert, settled west of Benjamin (who was on the 
Merrick Sargent place), just across the Causeway; 
he was there in 1 785 ; d. in 1 786-7. Had a s., Cyrus, 
b. 1745, who became a deacon and was known by 
that designation. 

Dca. Cyrus Houghton, s. of Cyrus, m. Experience Pike 
of Framingham ; he settled first in the west part on 
the place now owned by Silas L. Mills ; sold the same 
to Obadiah Wheeler in 1 768 ; he was a moving char- 
acter; was in Putney, Vt., where several Berlin peo- 
ple settled ; in Framingham and in Boylston ; in the 
latter place was made deacon ; he returned finally to 
his old homestead in West Berlin in 1798, after an 
absence of thirty years. Had by wife. Experience, 
William, d. in youth of hydrophobia; Achsah, bap. 
1777, m. Ephraim Barber 1803, also Pelatiah Gibbs 
of Livermore, Me.; Eunice, bap. '1777, m., 1807, 
Silas Carruth of Northboro ; Caleb, b. 1780. Wife, 
Experience, d. ; he m., 2d, Mary Taylor of Boylston 
in 1 790 ; she was aunt to Mrs. Job Spofford. Had 
by Mary, Jonah, b. 1792. Dea. Cyrus d. June 10, 
1834, at 89; Mary, wid., d. May 25, 1838, at 86. 



388 HISTORY OF THE 

Some of the land comprising this farm at the west 
part was bought by his father of Benjamin Wilson 
in 1747 (eight acres at Wilson Flagg holes); also of 
James Fife, eighteen acres on both sides of the brook 
that runs out of Roper's and wSumner's meadows. 

Caleb Houghton, s. of Dea. Cyrus, m. Susannah, dau. 
of Josiah Sawyer, Jr., Oct. 3, 1803 ; res. in the north- 
west part of the town on the Merrick Sargent place ; 
was a cooper and was at one time engaged in wire 
drawing. Had Cyrus, b. Aug., 1804, m. Eliza A. 
Sawin of Gardner, res. in Lancaster and Holliston, in 
the latter of which he d. in 1868; this Cyrus, 3d, and 
Eliza had three sons: Edward, who res. in Lancaster; 
Lucius, who res, in Middleboro; and William A., a 
professor in New York City University, also 
was five years in the Imperial College, Japan. 
Three daus. d. unm. Caleb had, also, Persis, b. 
Jan. 4, 1808, m., 1830, John Burdett of Clinton; 
both d. in Holliston; they had sons, JohnM., LeRoy 
S., and dau., Louisa; George, b. Jan. 19, 18 10, m. in 
Kingston, Pa., and d. there in 1845 ; William A., b. 
June 2, 1812; Amory, b. 1816, d. 1819. Wife, 
Susannah, d. Aug. 23, 18 18. He m., 2d, Jan. 19, 
1 8 19, Abigail Merriam, by whom he had Lewis M., 
b. Oct. 23, 1820, m. in Holliston, where he d. in 

185 1, and had one s., Charles; Susannah S. and 
Abigail M., twins, b. Aug. 15, 1821 ; Susannah d. 
Feb. 2, 1847; Abigail m. Ira Sawyer, Jr., she d. 

1852. Caleb d. here about ; wid., Abigail, 

m., 2d, Elijah Edson and d. in Holliston May 7, 
1866 ; interment here. 

Jonah Houghton, s. of Dea. Cyrus, m. Zilpah, dau. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 3^9 

of Tohn Howe of Boylston. Had Jonah Taylor, b. 
Feb 24, 1819, d. Dec. 15, 1839, having changed his 
name to Henry T. ; Mary Ann, b. April 8, 1820, m. 
Houghton of Bolton; he d., she m., 2d, Timo- 
thy Fairbanks, he d. ; Amory, b. Sept. 21, 1821, d. 

1834; Horace, b. Nov. 9, 1822, m. Abra , by 

whom he had Henry and Charles, both d. young; 

^ ^^ Hayes, res., Boston, by whom had 

Charlotte, b. 1864: d. 1879. Jonah d. 1838; wid. 

^^ Sawtell of Grafton; he d., she m., 3d, 

Wheeler; she d. 1880. 

William Addison Houghton, s. of Caleb, and the 
seventh gen. from the first John of Lancaster, m. 
Marv Grace, dau. of Solomon Howe of Berlin; he 
lived with his parents on the paternal homestead, 
never in the hands of any but the Houghtons (save 
one mere change), until the death of his father, about 
18-- his home afterwards during his minority was 
with 'his guardian, Jonathan D. Meriam, Esq.; at 
twentv-two vears he began preparations for college; 
graduated at Yale in 1840, also at Yale Divinity 
School in 1843 ; was settled the same year over the 
Cono-regational Church of Northboro, with which he 
had united in 1 843 ; resigned in 1 8 5 1 ; res m Berlm 
in 1852; installed over the Congregational Church m 
Berlin Oct. 25, 1 8 5 3 ; resigned Oct. ^5, 1878, after a 
pastorate of twenty-five years. The church m 1887, 
by motion of the pastor, Rev. C. H. Washburn, con- 
ferred upon him the relation of pastor anerUns He 
was a member of the School Committee nearly all 
the time during his pastorate; took great interest m 
the public schools and in all matters pertainmg to 
education; he was a prominent figure m the towns 



390 HISTORY OF THE 

municipal life ; was ever ready to promote all meas- 
ures calculated to advance the best interests and 
prosperity of the community. The last years of his 
life were spent in collecting and collating the material 
for this work, which, through failing health, he was 
unable fully to complete. He lived on the old Dr. 
Puffer homestead, bought in 1857; the buildings were 
remodeled in 1866. Had an adopted dau., Lucinda 
Howe, who m. Edward H. Hartshorn. His wife, 
Mary Grace, d. Oct. 16, 1882. He d. of no special 
disease, but of debility incident to old age, Sunday, 
March 21, 1891. The funeral, which occurred on 
the Thursday following, was attended by a very 
large concourse of people of all denominations. 
Rev. Henry Hyde of Greenfield, but formerly of 
Berlin, officiated on the occasion. No one in the 
daily life of Berlin has been more missed than 
William Addison Houghton. 

Jonas Houghton, from Bolton, the fourth of the 
name Jonas and descendant of John Houghton, vSr., 
of Lancaster, m. Lucy, dau. of Eleazer Johnson of 
Berlin. The lineage of this branch of the family 
stands: John, Sr., d. 1684; Jonas, b. 1660, m. Mary 
Burbeane of Woburn; Jonas', b. 1682, m. Mary Brig- 
ham of Marlboro; Jonas', b. 1726; Jonas', b. 1750, 
m. Lucv Johnson, dau. of Eleazer, and lived with his 
father-in-law on the place now owned by Willard M, 
Wheeler. Had Silas, b. 1777 ; no other record. 

Silas Houghton, s. of Jonas', m. Lucy Farnsworth 
of New Hampshire March 9, 1799 ; he succeeded his 
father on the Johnson homestead. Had Merrick, b, 
Oct. 28, 1799; Emily T., b. Jan. 25, 1801, m. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 39 ^ 



Tilton, res. at the West; Lucy, b. Feb. 28, 1804, m. 
Oliver Fosgate; Sabra, b. April 27, 1805, m. Alben 
P. Howe, res., Amherst; Jonas, b. March 3, 1808, m. 
Fanny Eager of Northboro, he settled in the West ; 
Silas, b. Jan. 18, 1810; Levi, b. 1812; Eleazer J., b. 
Oct. 14, 1818; Amory, b. 1816. Silas, Sr., d. Oct. 
16, 1820, at 43; wid. m. Benjamin Bailey of Bolton; 
she d. Nov. 27, 1826. 

Merrick Houghton, s. of Silas, m. Ruth, dau. of 
Abram Howe of Marlboro ; his homestead was our pres- 
ent Chandler Carter place, bought in 182 1 of the wid. 
of Nathan Egery; house was built in 1830 of funds 
obtained from a lottery, $2,000 ; rem. to Lancaster, 
where he d. Had Elihu R., b. Dec. 11, 1820; Ann 
Eliza, b. Nov. 13, 1822, m. James Penniman, res., 
Worcester; vSilas B., b. Oct. 7, 1824; Edwin H., b. 
Dec. 13, 1826; Merrick F., b. Aug. 13, 1828; Ruth 
Jane, b. May 15, 1830, m. Rev. Mr. Simson; Jonas 
A., b. April 6, 1832, res.. New York city, policeman 

and detective; Lewis, b. , deaf and dumb, is 

professor in Knoxville Asylum, Tenn. ; ^Mathew, b. 

, res., Long Island; Charles M., b. , res.. 

New York city. 

Silas Houghton, bro. of :Merrick, m. Susan Coffran 
of Goshen, N. H., 1834, and dau. of Benjamin, who 
came on the Amherst Bailey place in 1831, rem. to 
Goshen. Had Mary E., b. Dec. 28, 1837, m. John H. 
Sprague; Frank E., b. Oct. 28, 1843, d. in the army 
at St. Marv's Church June 24, 1864, was in the 15th 
Mass. Regt.; Joseph C, b. Jan. 3, 1852, m. Abby 
Trull of Marlboro. Silas d. in Lancaster July 10, 
1882. 



392 HISTORY OF THE 

Levi Houghton, bro. of the above, m. Patience Har- 
low of Shrewsbury. She d. March 15, 1848; he m., 
2d, Lucy Ann, dau. of Josiah Conant. Levi d. 
March 20, 1851 ; wid. res. in Hudson. 

Nahuin Houghton m.., Sept. 26, 1786, Leovitia, dau. 
of Joseph Howe and sister to wife of Amos Sawyer, 
Sr. ; they rem. to Marlboro, Vt. He d. 1841 at 75 ; 
she d. 1843 a-t 78. The lineage of this Nahum ap- 
pears to be down through John, vSr. ; John, Jr. ; John' ; 
Benjamin; Ezra; Nahum, b. 1767; no other record. 

Solomon Houghton and wife, Betsey (Pratt), came 
here from Boylston in 1 8 1 6 ; bought land opposite 
the Congregational Church and built what was the 
front part of the hotel ; remained in town four or 
five years ; he was a descendant of Robert. Thus 
Robert', Joshua", Solomon'. Had vSerena, William 
Pratt, vSolomon and Richard Baxter; no other record. 

The Silas Houghton of West Berlin, just opposite 
George Howard's, I cannot place genealogically. 
In 1 8 10 he paid Joshua Johnson ten dollars for that 
irregular piece of land; the shape was determined 
by a new location of the road east of the Barber 
mills. The present well-sweep indicates the house 
spot. That he was of the Benjamin line might be 
inferred from his occupancy of a slipe (slips) of 
meadow. "vSlipes," as they were called, came in by 
irregular boundaries, — space between defined lots; 
squatters took possession. Robert Houghton names 
in deed to Cyrus the "slipes" east of the brook, near 
the present McPherson place. Later, these slipes 
were owned by Capt. Henry Powers and his s., John. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 393 

HOWARD. 

Timothy Howard, Jr. (s. of Timothy, who m. Dorcas 
'Greene and lived in the Fuller house, Carterville), m. 
Abigail Temple ; he lived at various places in town. 
Had James; Emeline, m. Gardner Jacobs; Rufus, b. 
May 18, 1805; Lucinda Sophronia and Dexter, d. 
young; George W., b. Sept. 27, 18 19. Timothy, 
Jr., d. Nov., 1846; Abigail d. Aug., 1842. 

Rufus Hoii'ard, s. of Timothy, Jr., m. Louisa, dau. 
of Oliver Sawyer of Heath ; res. on south road, where 
Nelson Larkin now lives. Had Sarah P., b. Jan. 10, 

, m. David A. Fry; m., 2d, Joshua Wolcott; she 

d. April 3, 1890; Elmira G., b. Feb. 19, 1829, m. 
William J. Davenport; Susan B., b. June 14, 1831, 
m. Jonathan B. Ray, she d. Dec. 16, 1894; Louisa 

S., b. Dec. 20, , m. vSamuel N. Marsh; Martha 

A., b. Aug. 4, , m. Abel G. Haynes; Mary W., 

b. Oct. 8, , m. Ralph Safford; Adeliza J., b. 

March 8, 1842, m. George H. Andrews in 1862; 
Augusta M., b. Aug. 21, 1843, m. Wilham Smith. 
He d. July 23, 1865 ; wid. d. March 18, 1886. 

Hon. William N. Davenport, now mayor of the 
city of Marlboro, is a son of the above-named Elmira 
G. Howard and William J. Davenport, Esq., of Boyl- 
ston. 

George IV. Howard, s. of Timothy, Jr., m. Hulda 
(Forbes) Sargent, wid. of Curtis Sargent, Dec. 8, 
1855 ; tie lives in the west part. Had Marshall E., b. 
Nov. 24, 1857, ^- Etta E. Perkins of Lexington, 
Me., Oct. II, 1893; had Elwin W., b. July 12, 
1894. 



394 HISTORY OF THE 

HOWE. 

PJdncas Howe, b. 1733,8. of Phineas and Abigail 
(Bennett) Howe of Marlboro and later of Boylston, 
who was a descendant of John Howe, one of the 
first settlers in Marlboro, m. Experience, dau. of 
William and Experience (Wheeler) Pollard of Bolton ; 
he settled on Barnes hill on the farm recently owned 
by Silas S. Greenlief. Had nine children b. from 
1760 to 1776, namely: vSilas, b. April 28, 1760; 
Lucretia, b. Oct. 4, 1761, m. vSamuel Goss of Bolton; 
Polly (Mary), b. Nov. 10, 1763, ni. Abel Baker, res., 
Concord, N. H. ; Parna, b. May 24, 1765, m. Jonathan 
Fairbanks; Sarah, b. March i, I767,m. Silas Sawyer; 
Phineas, b. March 25, 1769; Experience, b. April, 
1771, d. young; Betty, b. April 19, 1773; Abraham, 
b. July 24, 1776. His three sons settled in Rumford, 
Me., about 1800, while he in his old age rem. to 
Concord, N. H., and probably lived with his dau., 'Polly, 
for Bouton's "History of Concord" tells us that our 
Phineas Howe was six feet nine inches in height, 
and his dau., Polly, Abel's wife, was six feet and 
weighed 202 lbs. ; Susan, dau. of Polly, was six feet 
two inches. It was reported here in 1825 that a 
granddau. of Abel Baker led the Lowell factory girls, 
being the tallest, dressed in white, to greet Gen. 
Lafayette in 1824. 

Silas HoiL'c, b. 1737, bro. of Phineas of Barnes hill, 
m. Abigail, dau. of Isaac Moore, Sr., Feb. 2, 1764; 
he was the successor of Phineas on the hill, but 
finally rem. to Rumford, Me., about 1800. Had 
Silas, b. 1764; Abigail, b. 1766, m. Manasseh Fair- 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



395 



banks; Ephraim, b. 1767; Levi, b. ; Persis, b. 

; Tamer, b. 1779; Abraham, b. 1782. 

Silas Hoive m., 1780, Silence Moore; from the 
records it is not clear whether this Silas is a s. of 
Phineas or not. Had Jeremiah N., b. 1781 ; Rebecca 
H., b. 1782; vSamson, b. 1786, m., 1812, Betsey Howe 
of Boylston ; Experience, b. 1787; Rumford records 
add Hannah, b. 1798; Lydia, b. 1802. 

Capt. Ephraim Hotve, s. of Silas, Sr., m. Hannah, 
dan. of Fortunatus Barnes, Nov. 11, 1 790 ; he lived 
on the Merrick Felton farm ; later rem. to Northboro. 
Had Curtis, b. June 9, 1791, m. Dec. 15, 18 19, Alo- 
thena Bartlett of Northboro (their early life was in 
Berlin, later in Northboro, where he d. Oct. 22, 1854, 
had no children, his wid. d. 1892); Abel, b. Oct. 
16, 1795; Lois, b. Nov. 3, 1799, m. Roswell Keyes; 
Ephraim and Hannah, twins, b. July 7, 1808; Han- 
nah d. young; Zilpah, b. Aug. 17, 1802, m. William 
Sawyer, s. of Amos, Sr. ; Lucinda, b. Oct. 16, 1797; 

Lucy, b. , m. Whitney of Marlboro. 

Capt. Ephraim d. March 28, 1855, at 87; wife d. 
June I, 185 I, at 81. 

Ephraim Hence, Jr., m. Susan Jones; he lived on 
Philo Bruce's place about 1830; rem. to Northboro. 
Had seven children ; Lewis T., b. Dec. 15, 1843, is 
on our list of soldiers. 

Warn)! S. Hotve, s. of Willard of Marlboro, m. Lucy 
S., dau. of Amos Sawyer, Jr., Nov. 24, 1870; she d. 
Jan. 29, 1884; m., 2d, Laura Elizabeth, dau. of John 
A. Merrill, Jan. 18, 1888. He has been expressman 
and drove the daily coach to Hudson. He removed 
to Brookline. 



.396 HISTORY OF THE 

Abel Hozi'c, s. of Ephraim, m., Dec. 17, 1817, Betsey 
Sawyer ; was living on the old Phineas Howe place 
about 1830; rem. to Maine. Had Hannah, ni. Fran- 
cis Eager of Northboro: Ellen Gertrude, m. John A. 
Lane of Northboro. He d. 1 843 in Canton, Me. ; 
wife d. 1833. 

Samuel Hence, from Bolton, m. Mary G. Wheeler, 
dau. of Levi, Jr., Nov. 28, 1849; rem. to Marlboro. 
Had Ellen M., b. Oct. 23, 1850; Bertha J., b. June 
22, 1855; Sumner L., b. Apr. 9, 1859; Henry E., b. 
Aug. 6, 1866; Clarence, b. Dec. 22, 1870, d. Aug. 12, 
1871. 

Aloirzo F. Hozui\ s. oi Lyman of Marlboro, m. 
Melinda Lawrence of Marlboro ; he settled in the 
south part on the place now owned by N. H." Cart- 
wright in 1857 and built that house; he was in the 
army in the 29th Mass. Vols. ; d. at Camp Dennison, 
Cincinnati, Sept. 7, 1863, age 32 ; after his death the 
family rem. to jMarlboro in 1863. Had Frank D., b. 
March 7, 1857; Fred W.. b. May 13, 1859. d. young; 
Stella G., b. June 7, 1861. 

Solomon Hon'c came to Berlin in 1803. This con- 
catenation of names preceded him genealogically: 
John and Mary, Josiah and Mary ( Haynes), Josiah 
and Mary (Marble), Josiah and Mary (Goodale), 
Josiah and Molly (Mary) Adams. He m. Sarah, dau. 
of John Stow; her mother was Grace Newton. 
The Stows antedated the Howes in Marlboro, but 
were less numerous. "'Squire Howe" was a kind of 
town official in public affairs; he was innholder, 
.storekeeper and farmer ; ventured in card manufac- 
.turing. a losing enterprise. The writer has "used 




SOLOMON H. HOWE. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 397 

tip" variously much of the chimsy machinery. My 
father, I suppose, furnished the wire in part in his 
"wire shop" at the foot of Cranberry meadow, 
"Houghton & Dakin;" "drawing wire," it was called.. 
The Howe tavern on the present William H, Harts- 
horn corner was known "on the road" as a dining 
place, especially after the Boston and Barre stage 
was started and "summer boarders" were known in 
Berlin fifty years ago. William Addison, his elder 
son, at sixteen bought and sold in the store ; he was 
a merchant by instinct ; he had his eye on Boston from 
his youth; he reached it in 1837; was wholesale dry 
goods dealer; became president of the Elliot Ins. 
Co. and of the Elliot Bank; was mainly instrumental 
in their organization ; he was stricken by paralysis 
in Oct., 1858. 

Solo)/ioii Henry Have was taken from the farm into 
partnership with his bro. in 1844 after apprentice- 
ship ; later with others. Pierce, Howe & Co. ; later, 
Howe, Pierce & Co., bro. of first partner; the senior 
Pierce said Howe was the best salesman in Boston ; 
he retired with competence to the old Holman farm 
on Wataquodock in 1 86-. The tower there on the 
highest land between Wachusett and Boston was 
built by him. The long line of evergreens further 
south will long be reminders of him. Weary with 
the monotony of retirement, he unhappily entered 
into complications with the B. C. & F. R, R. (from 
the O. C. Northern branch), of which he became 
president when it was extended to New Bedford ; he 
was stricken by apoplexy in a public meeting in 
Boston. Died Feb., 1879. Hem. in 1851 Lucinda, 
dau. of James Savage of Boston, later of Southboro. 



398 HISTORY OF THE 

His children are : Mary Grace, m. Leslie Hastings ; 
James Sullivan, physician in Boston ; Solomon Henry, 
merchant in New York city; William Addison, in 
Oregon. These brothers have a personal record in 
the late "History of Worcester County," but by tem- 
porary loss of the manuscript, the record is inserted 
in the appendix. 

Solomon Hoivc m. May 19, 1802, Sarah Stow. 
Had Isabella, b. July 19, 1803, m., March 24, 1822, 
Major Rufus Hastings of Sterling; she d. in West- 
boro Nov., 1876, he d, there June, 1883; William 
Addison, b. July 4, 1806, d. in Berlin Oct. i, 
1863, unm. ; Sarah, b. March 21, 1809, d. June 29, 
1826; Lydia, b. Aug. 27, 181 1, m., April 25, 1854, 
Capt. Amos C. Leland of Holliston; he d. May, 1855, 
she m., Sept. i, 1857, Dea. Luther Peters ; she d. 
June 2, 1882; Mary Grace, b. May 12, 181 5, m.. May 
28. 1844, Rev. William A. Houghton, then of North- 
boro; Luc}- E., b. May 2, 181 7, m.. May 13, 1841, 
Dr. Edward Hartshorn ; Solomon Henry, b. Nov. 29, 
1822. 

HUDSON. 

John Hudson, b. 171 3, s. of Nathaniel and grands, 
of Daniel and (Joanna) Hudson, who settled in Lan- 
caster in 1665, m. Elizabeth McAllister of NorthborO; 
she d. May 16, 1786, age 66; he m., 2d, March 28, 
1787, Bertha Wood, who survived him; he settled in 
the southwest part of the town on the hill south of 
the Barneses, later known as the Dinsmore place. 
Had b}' Elizabeth, Elisha, m. Susanna Brigham, 
rem. to Canada; Elijah, m. Hannah Goodnow, moved 




WILLIAM A. HOWE. 



;i fortune and won the reputation ot a sKUltui nnancier. >v ,.ii^ X* "■;■;;•■ 7 -J-y^^, \.' 
cess as president of the Eliot Bank and the Eliot Fire Insurance Co.. both of which he 
founded, he was stricken with paralysis and died in Berlin in 1S3,. His internient 
was at Mt Auburn. While in health he purposed to build a mansion on the old site, 
and removed and refitted the old house on a site opposite the old churcfi. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 399 

to Clarendon, Vt. ; Merriam, m. Jonas Babcock of 
Northboro, and was the mother of Mrs. Adam Bart- 
lett; Moses, res., Bolton, unm. ; Aaron, was in the 
Lexington alarm in 1775; Hannah, d. in Berlin 
unm.; Ebenezer, d. in the Revolutionary army; John, 
moved to Oxford, was three years in the army; 
Charles, was a three years' man in the Continental 
army, and when his time was about expiring he was 
accidentally killed by one of our own men: two 
scouting parties met in the night time, and one 
mistaking the other for the enemy, fired and killed 
him and another man. Stephen, b. 1761, settled in 
Marlboro, was three years in the Continental service ; 
was the father of Hon. Charles Hudson, the historian 
of Marlboro ; Elizabeth, the youngest of the family 
of eleven children, m. Levi Fay of Marlboro. 
The military record of this family of John Hudson is 
certainly remarkable, when we consider that he was 
in the expedition against Crown Point in 1755, and 
two of his sons also were in the old French and 
Indian war, and he and all of his sons were in the 
Revolutionary war at some period of its contin- 
uance. John Hudson d. in Berlin Aug. 6, 1799, age 
86 ; was an original church member in Berlin. 
Daniel, the grandf. of John, together with his wife, 
Joanna, and two daus. and two grandchildren, were 
killed by the Indians in Lancaster in 1697; they 
lived on Gibson's hill. 

HUNT. 

Hainan Hunt, from vSudbur}', was the successor of 
William A. Howe in the old corner store. Wife, 
Harriet, d. here Oct. 10, 1843. 



400 HISTORY OF THE 

HUNTING. 

Martin R. Hunting, from Marlboro, m. , dau. 

of Stephen — . Houghton of Bolton ; he lived in the 
south part in 1858 in the house now of Edward P. 
Hastings; was a wheelwright and worked in 
Wheeler's mill ; rem, to Gardner. Had a s. Stephen 
in the late war, who was killed in a battle near 
Petersburg, Va. 

Joseph Hunting, from , m. Emma Miller,. 

sister to Mrs. Frank Babcock. He d. here Nov. 15,, 
1874, age 34; wid. m. George C. Rathburn. 

JACKSON. 

Henry Jackson, better known as General Jackson,, 
a colored man, born a slave in New Jersey, emanci- 
pated in middle life, drifted to Berlin about 1844. 
Had a wife and children ; lived in the old tan-yard 
house in Carterville; the family left him about 1855 
(no great loss); he afterwards mainly supported 
himself by sawing wood; had quarters in Wm. 
Fry's house, until at last he found a home at Tewks- 
bury, 1879, and there died. 

A lowly life — yet Berlin gives 

To this humble Afric son 
An honored place upon this page 

For faithful serving done. 

" Honor and fame," we learned in youth, 

" From no condition rise; 
" Act well your part," in every state, 

"There all the honor lies." 

JENKINS. 

William Jenkins, from Southbridge, m. Joanna 
Donovan Oct. 4, 1 864 ; he lived in the east part of 







A. W. LONGLEY, p. 423. 

A. J. Johnson, p. 406. 



Chakles <j. Keves, p. 413. 
Thos. Pollard, p. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 4° I 

the town, near Hudson; was a professional barber; 
plied his trade in Hudson. Had William B., b. Oct. 
25, i860, m. Abbie M. Reardon Jan. 4, 1886, res., 
Hudson; Richard A., b. July 17, 1863; Abby Ann, 
b. Oct. 19, 1865; Mar}' E., b. July 8, 1867. He d. 
Oct. 10, 1894, at 73. 

TEWETT. 

Jcssc Jciuctt.h.'m Pepperell Nov. 17, 1753. was a 
descendant of Joseph Jewett, who, together with his 
bro., Maximilian, came from Bradford, Eng., and 
settled in Rowley in 1639. He m., Dec. 10, 1778, 
Hannah, dau. of Joshua Johnson ; he settled on the 
farm now owned by Clarence E. Spofford. Had 
John, b. April 4, 1782, d. 1804; Jesse, b. March 30, 
'1792; Hannah, b. Sept. 21, 1793, m. Welcome 
Barnes; m., 2d, Luke Whitcomb of Bolton; had no 
child; she d. in Bolton. He d. Feb. 5, 1829, at 76 
yrs.; Hannah, wid., d. Jan. 26, 1849, aged 94 yrs. 9 
mos. 16 days. 

Jesse JcivcttJ'r., s. of Jesse, m., Dec. 3, 18 16, ^lyra, 
dau. of Dr. Josiah Cotting of Southboro ; he lived in 
the south part on his grandf., Joshua Johnson's place. 
Had Lewis J., b. Jan. 30, 1818; Laura Ann, b. Mav 
21, 1820, d. Aug. 16, 1861, unm.; Joshua C, b. April 
25, 1822 ; Frederick J., b. Oct. 21, 1826, m. Catherine 
B. Felton, res., Marlboro; Gilbert B.,b. Dec. 30, 1828, 
d. April 7, 1834; Henry M., b. Nov. 16, 1833, was 
colonel of a New Jersey regiment in the late war, was 
wounded in sword arm leading his men in battle ; he 
holds important civil trusts. Jesse Jewett, Jr., d. 
Oct. 8, 1850; Myra, wid., d. Aug. 16, 1863. 



402 HISTORY OF THE 

Lewis J.J civctt, s, of Jesse, Jr., m. Amity Fish; he 
lived in Carterville, house next north of blacksmith 
shop ; also res. in Clinton and d. there ; he was by trade 
a wheelwright. Had no children, but adopted three, 
viz. : Charles Crommett, Lewas Arno and Annie Arno, 

JOHNSON. 

The Johnson name in Berlin stands for worth and 
character. Their origin was decidedly Puritanic. 
None stauncher before or after "the landing" than 
Edward Johnson of Woburn. He left home, estate 
and country for religion's sake. Names in his will 
the income of his "mansion" in England for his wife. 
Governor Winthrop was a fellow passenger when he 
came over in 1630. The governor had his hand on 
Johnson ever after for state service. He was an 
accomplished surveyor; appointed to supervise the 
laying out of Woburn, he took up his abode there. 
Was town clerk thirty years, represented the town in 
General Court twenty-seven years, was once speaker 
pro tem. of the House. He was officially connected 
in laying out our own territory in 1650-60. No 
doubt he traversed our hills and valleys. I have no 
other indication that our Johnson lands were a grant 
to him for services, only that such kind of com- 
pensation for such service was common. 

The grant to Edward Johnson embraced a large 
portion of South Berlin, on which he settled his 
three sons, Edward, Eleazer and Joshua, in 1740-50; 
he divided his land among them about 1750; was 
here as appraiser of Benjamin Bailey's estate in 1726, 
together with Job Carly and Samuel Jones; he sold 



TOWN OF BERLIN, 4OJ 

forty acres of land to William Goddard, the miller, in 
1 744 ; the land included the mill spot. 

Capt. Edward Johnson, s. of Edward of Woburn 
was b. 1715, m. Mary, dau. of James Ball of North- 
boro ; he settled on the farm now owned by Mrs. C. 
S. Hastings and vSons. Had Edward, b. Oct. 21, 
1745; Nathan, b. July 19, 1748; Jemima, b. Nov. 25, 
1750; Jotham, b. Nov. 20, 1753; Jonas, b. Feb. 4, 
1757; Asa, b. April 6, 1759. Capt. Edward d. Oct. 
9, 1784; wid. d. July 5, 18 10, at 85. 

Joshua Johnson, s. of Edward of Woburn, was b. 
1 7 16, m. Hannah, dau. of Nathan Ball of Northboro, 
June 30, 1742 ; his farm was the one on which Henry 
Hastings formerly lived, now owned by A. B. Allen, 
just west of North brook, in South Berlin ; he or his s., 
Joshua, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war; the 
old house on the place was burned a few years ago. 
Had Sarah, b. Jan. 4, 1743 ; Joshua, b. Aug. 20, 1745, 
d. unm. Jan. 25, 1832; he owned land on the south 
of Third Division hill, including the Daniel Carter 
farm and "the old plain;" Amos, b. Oct. 31, 1750 ; 
Hannah, b. April 4, 1754, m. Jesse Jewett. Joshua, 
wSr., d. June 26, 1784; Hannah, wid., d. Dec. 18, 
1 8 10, at 88. 

Elcazcr Johnson, s. of Edward of Woburn, b. 171 7, 
m. Lucy, dau. of Nathan Ball of Northboro ; he set- 
tled on the farm since owned by Peregrine Wheeler 
and s., Willard M. ; the same house still stands, 
renovated and repaired in modern style. Had Lucy, 
b. ]\Iarch 10, 1749, m. Jonas Houghton; Lydia, b. 
Julv 3, 1754, m, Abraham Wood of Northboro 
March 13, 1773; Elizabeth, b, Oct. 7, 185 1, m. 



404 HISTORY OF THE 

Ephraim Barnard of Northboro. Eleazer d. Jnly 3, 
1 791; he, too, was a Revolutionar}^ soldier. This 
Johnson line was represented in Berlin last by Mrs. 
Liicy (Houghton) Fosgate, the wid. of Oliver. 

NatJian Johnsoii\ Edward' of Berlin, m. Beulah, dan. 
of Abram AVood of Northboro, Dec. 18, 1781; he 
retained the homestead of his father, the Capt. C. vS. 
Hastings place ; he was in the battle of Bunker Hill. 
Had Beulah, b. March 23, 1783, m. David Newton of 
Northboro and of Jaffrey, N. H., at that date; 
Edward (fifth born in famih' names), b. May 4, 
1785; Zenas, b. May 8, 1787; Susan, b. Sept. 2, 
1789, d. unm. Aug. 17, 1872; Amelia, b. Feb. 5, 
1793, d. unm. Nov. 27, 1864. Of these two the name 
of either was seldom spoken without the other, their 
lives were so much united; owned the east end of 
the BuUard house ; d. there. He d. Dec. 23, 1832; 
wife d. Feb. 24, 1830; she was sister to the mother 
of Abram Wood Seaver, late of Northboro. 

Edivard Johnsoit, Nathan", Edward', m. Anna, dau. 
of James R. Parks, April 20, 1 8 1 7 ; he lived in the 
house on the corner, where ]^Irs. John Lasselle now 
res. Had Edward J. N. Pillsbury, b. Feb. 15, 18 19; 
Charlotte Angelina, b. Oct. 22, 1823, m. Tar- 
bell, res., Derry Depot, N. H. He d. Nov. 15, 1829; 
Anna, his wid., rem. to Mason, N. H. 

ZcnasJoJinsoif', Nathan'', Edward', m., Feb. 27, 1820, 
Serena Shepherd ; he lived in the house before occu- 
pied by his bro., Edward. Had Francis, b. Jan. 23, 

1826, d. . Wife, Serena, d. June 25, 1831; 

he m., 2d, Polly Arnold of Marlboro, by whom he had 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 405 

George Edward, b. Jan. 4, 1834. Zenas d. Nov. 11, 
1850; Polly, his wid., d. Sept. 9, 1856. 

Eikoard J. N. P. JoJinson\ Edward', Nathan", Ed- 
ward'f m. Rebecca A. Harwood of Syracuse, N. Y. ; 
m boyhood he lived with his uncle, Joseph Parks ; 
he was one of our soldiers in the late war ; enlisted in 
Co. F, 15th Regt., Mass. Vols.; was discharged Feb. 
3, 1863, on account of ill health ; d. May 20, 1864, at 
45 yrs. Had Mary Adella, m. Edward Whitney, res., 
Derry, N. H. ; Morgeana, m. Eli Sawyer, Jr., res., 
Westboro; Edward, m. Eliza Clements, res., Spring- 
field, Mass. ; Lilla, m. Jasper Fairbanks, res.. Maiden, 
Mass. 

George Edivard Johnson', Zenas'', Nathan^, Edward', 
m. Harriet Sargent ; his res. was on the old Boylston 
road, just west of North brook, where Henrv M. 
Flagg now lives; was a painter and paper hanger. 
He d. May 10, 1883; wid. rem. to ]\Iarlboro. Had 
Mary Susan Amelia, b. March 22, 1855, d, July 16, 
1876 (Edward Lamb, her betrothed, d. a few days 
later); Elizabeth Arabella, b. Sept. 3, 1856, m. E. 
Erving Sawyer, res., Marlboro; Rosa E., b. Oct. 24, 
1857, m., Jan. 15, 1879, Winthrop Bailey, res., Hud- 
son; she d. Aug. 15, 1880; Lona M., b. Dec. 30, 1867. 

Amos JoJinsoii\ Joshua", Edward', m. Elizabeth, dau- 
of John Pollard, Jan. 15, 1782; he retained the 
homestead of his father. Had only one s., Lewis, b. 
March 16, 1783. Wife, Elizabeth, d. May 10, 181 3, 
at 50 yrs. ; m., 2d, Maverick (Houghton), wid. of Dr. 
Josiah Cotting of Southboro ; Maverick had by Dr. 
Cotting, Josiah and Myra. He d. July 13, 1825; 
wid., Maverick, d. July 9, 1852, at 84. 



406 HISTORY OF THE 

Dr. Leivis Joli)ison\ Amos', Joshua^ Edward', m. 
Sarah Robinson; he settled in Westminster, Vt., 
and their only s. was Dr. Joshua J., who m. JMar}-, 
dau. of Rev. Joseph Allen of Northboro ; practiced 
medicine there and also in Keene ; both father and 
son were instinctively skillful physicians ; Dr. Joshua 
is the last representative by name of the Joshua 
Johnson lines. Their only dau. m. Charles Johnson 
of Northboro, but not of the Woburn line. 

Mollis Johnson of Marlboro bought farm and house 
built by Samuel Jones', s. of Land'ord Jones, later 
owned by Oliver Fosgate and now by Willis Rice; 
he m. Abigail Oaks of Northboro. Had Mary, b. 
Aug. 26, 1 8 10, she d. here about 1830; Abigail, b. 
181 3, d. here 1837. Wife, Abigail, d. 181 3, he m., 
2d, Eunice Randall of Bolton; she d. 1846, at 69; he 
d. in 1858, at 84 yrs. ; both buried in Marlboro; also 
Catherine, sister to Hollis. 

Lewis H. Johnson, b. April 9, 1805, ^^ adopted s. 
of Hollis Johnson, m. Mary, dau. of Adam Bartlett, 
April 15, 1834. Had Andrew Jackson, b. Jan. 31, 
1836; Hollis Lewis, b. June 7, 1838, was a soldier 
in the late war, d. at the second battle of Bull Run 
Aug. 30, 1862; Henrietta, b. June 15, 1844, m. 
Martin Crowell, res., Hudson. He d. Aug. 11, 1866, 
at 61 ; wid., Mary, d. 1886. 

Andrczv J. Johnson\ Lewis H.', Hollis', m. Harriet 
A., dau. of Lsrael Woodbur}- of Bolton; he is by 
trade a stone mason, and lives on the Clinton road in 
the west part, where his father did. Had Ida May, 
b. June 16, 1859, ^' George E. Osgood; Eva Leona, 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



407 



b. Sept. II, 186 1, m. F. Sherman Wheeler. His wife 
was confined to the house more than twenty years by 
reason of great prostration and sickness ; she d. Jan. 
22, 1887. 

Laban Johnson, from HolHston, was here about 1 800 ; 
lived on the Newsome place ; built the house burned 
July 24, 1895 ; no other record. 

Abel Johnson came from Hudson, m. Sarah A. 
Taber, res., New Worcester; she had by former hus- 
band, Calvin Smith, who res, with the mother. He 
d. July I, 1893, at 76; she m., 2d, Goodyear. 

JONES. 

Samuel Jones, s. of Samuel of Woburn and grands. 
of Josiah of Watertown, was b. 1696; he m., 1722, 
vSusannah Johnson of Woburn, dau. of Edward, 
whose sons settled in the south part of Berlin ; he 
bought of Solomon Keyes the farm now owned by 
Elisha Bassett, where he d. April 3, 1769, at 73 ; his 
wid. d. Sept. 17, 1795, at 95 yrs. 11 mos. and 22 
days; he was succeeded on the place by his s., 
Ichabod. Had Samuel, b. 1726; Jonathan, b. 1732, 
lived west of the Northboro road, south of A. 
Keyes'; Sarah, b. 1734, d. unm. ; Ichabod, b, 1736, 
d. of small-pox on home place in 1778; Silas, b. 
1738; Timothy, b. 1740, d. 1822; Nathan, b. 1742, 
m. Mary, dau. of Benjamin Bruce, lived on the place 
where Mrs. Josiah Sawyer now lives; another s., 
Martin Cox, d. 18 18; had also Esther, m. David 
Taylor in 1756. 

Capt. Samuel Jones, Jr., s. of Samuel, m., 1748, 
Mehitable, dau. of Joseph Brigham of Marlboro; in 



408 HISTORY OF THE 

1748 he bought of Benjamin Bailey 137 acres, which 
inchided within its limits a large part of the central 
village of Berlin; he built a tavern, known as "Jones 
Inn" in 1749, on the north side of the Hudson road, 
fronting the road to Northboro; he was known as 
"Land'ord" Jones; the small house now standing 
east of the old spot was a part of the old structure; 
he was a man of energy and good judgment, waggish 
withal, as sundry anecdotes go to show; he belonged 
to the Bolton Church, and was an opposer of Rev. 
Mr, Goss in the Goss and Walley controversy ; he is 
reported to have prayed in his family "that the Lord 
would overturn and overturn till Goss should lose 
his case and Walley have his place ;" he was assistant 
sheriff at the hanging of Mrs. Spoon er at Worcester 
July, 1778, for the murder of her husband in Hard- 
wick. Tradition has it that he carried his shoes in 
his hands to save the wear in walking to Worcester 
on this occasion. Had Samuel, b. March 22, 1751, 
d. young; Solomon, b. March 5, 1753, d. young: 

Samuel, b. Feb. 14, 1757; Sally, b. 1758, d. — ; 

Solomon, b. Aug. 19, 1758, probably a twin tOvSally; 
Levina, b. 1 76 1 , m. Stephen Coolidge. Wife, Mehit- 
able, d. 1762; he m., 2d, Dorothy, dau. of John and 
^Icivy (Carter) Whitcomb ; she was fifth generation 
from Rev. Thomas Carter of Lancaster. Had Dolly, 
b. March 25, 1766, m. Daniel Carter; Silas, b. Feb. 
21, 1768. He d. Jan. 23, 1797; wid., Doiothy, d. 
April 25, 18 1 8. 

Saviucl Joncs^, s. of Samuel, Jr., m. Martha Fay of 
Woburn in 1777 ; he had a part of his father's farm; 
built the house where Willis Rice now lives; he 
made churns, pails and buckets; finally he moved to 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 4O9 

Marlboro, N. H., and was one of the pioneers to- 
gether with the Tenneys in the emigration to that 
northern Eldorado. Had Samuel ; William ; Patty, 
m. Silas Fairbanks; Betty, m. Jonathan Tenney; 
Timothy, b. March i8, 1787; Susannah, m. Archy 
Tenney ; Esther, m. Aaron Stowe of Sterling ; Sally,, 
d. young; Hannah, m. x\bel Rugg; Sally, m. Lemuel 

Howe of Grafton ; Jonathan, b. . He d. Sept. 

22, 181 1 ; wid. d. Oct. i, 1831. 

Timothy Jones, s. of vSamucF, m. Sally Barnard ; he 
lived on the Northboro road, the place now owned 
by Christopher Wheeler, thence rem. to Marlboro, 
Mass. Had Charles, d. young ; Charlotte, b. Jan. 
19, 1809, res., Framingham; Susan, b. July 17, 181 1, 
m. Ephraim Howe, Jr.; Hannah, b. July 4, 18 13, m. 
Ira Carter; Sarah, b. May 18, 18 15, m. John Hale of 
vStow; Timothy, b. July 23, 18 18; Charles, b. May 21, 
1820, d. Jan. 9, 1 88 1, unm. ; Lydia, b. March 31, 
1823 ; Ann Eliza, b. ]\Iarch 13, 1829. He d. Feb. 7, 
1862, age 75. 

William Jones, s. of Samuer, m. Sally Aleriam Jan. 
30, 1 804 ; lived awhile on the Crosby place, near O. C. 
depot; moved to Marlboro, X. H., 1825. Had Nancy, 
b. Dec. 3, 1804; Louisa, b. Jan. 31, 1807; Levi, b. 
Feb. 28, 1809; Sally ^I., b. July 15, 181 1 ; Abigail, b. 

; Jonathan, b. Aug. 26, 1817; Hannah D., b. 

Feb. 9, 1820; Samuel H., b. March 30, 1822; Joseph 
L., b. . 

Solomon Jones, s. of Samuel"', m. Hannah Gates ; he 
was living in 1785 north of the present Josiah vSaw- 
yer place. Had Rosamond, b. Oct. 22, 1784, m. and 



4IO HISTORY OF THE 

d. in Waterford, Me.; Pelatiah, b. March i8, 1787; 
Solomon, b. April 27, 1789, m. Molly, dau. of Daniel 
Bruce, d. in Ogdensburg, N. Y. ; Timothy, b. Aug. 
25, i79i,m. andd. in Ogdensburg; Lucy, b. Aug. 
12, 1797, m. and d. in iVuburn, N. Y. ; Jonathan, b. 
1802. 

J\iatia/i Jones, s. of Solomon', Samuel", Samuel', m.. 
May II, 1 8 II , Persis, dau. of Fortunatus Barnes and 
wid. of Silas Priest ; he settled on the Dea. Stephen 
Bailey farm, now known as the Ira Jones place. He 
d. March 14, 1864; she d. March 2, 1859. Had 
Caroline, b. Aug. 2, 181 3, m. George W. Ames of 
Cambridge, d. here Dec. 5, 1873; Ira, b. vSept. 2, 
181 5; Silas, b. Sept. 16, 1818, went to California 
about 1849, returned and d. in Sterling July 4, 1892, 
unm; Solomon, b. Apr. 22, 1824. 

Ira Jones, s. of Pelatiah, m. Mary E. (Frink) Reed 
of Swanzey, N. H. ; he retained the homestead. He 
d. Nov. 24, 1 89 1, from injuries received from a fall 
in his barn. Had Carrie P., b. April 1 1, 1869, m. I. 
E. Coulson April 11, 1892.; Albert R., b. Dec. 22- 
1871 ; Frank E., d. young. 

Solomon Jones, s. of Pelatiah, m. Laura B., dau. of 
Jonathan Wheeler' of Bolton, March 11,1847. He 
settled on the place where his wid., Mrs. James R. 
Fay, now res. ; erected the buildings now there. 
Had Oscar M., b. Aug. 5, 1848. He d. Oct. 5, 1864; 
she m., 2d, James R. Fay. 

Oscar AT. Jones, s. of Solomon, s. of Pelatiah, m. L. 
Ella Kimmins, dau. of Amos of Bolton. Had Laura 
Angie, b. April 9, 1882; Harry O., b. Nov. 12, 1883; 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 4II 

Everett S., b. July i, 1886; Hattie B., b. Nov. 22, 
1888; Sibyl B., b. Aug. 12, 1891 ; Florence M., b. Oct- 
5, 1893, d. Feb. 3, 1894. 

David B. Jones, s. of Samuel C. of South Boston, 
m. Susan M., dau. of Henry Hastings, Jan, i, 1854; 
lie followed the high seas many years ; was captain's 
mate on merchant vessels trading with China and 
other foreign countries ; soon after his marriage he quit 
the seas and worked in vSouth Berlin at shoemaking 
from 1857 to 1861 ; when the war broke out, he be- 
came a sutler in the army and was attached to 
Hooker's corps. His wife d. June 8, 1865, age 30; 
he m., 2d, ; he d. in New York. 

JoJin A. Jones, b. in Billerica May 12, 1836; moved 
to Bolton first; came to Berlin in 1885 ; m., 2d, July 
2, 1 87 1, Carrie Stearns of Bolton; she d. while living 
in Bolton; he was a soldier in the late war; now 
res. at Stone's Corner ; a dealer in horses and car- 
riages. 

KERLEY. 

The name of this family has been variously spelled 
and pronounced as Kerley, Carly, Caly. Job Kerley, 
a descendant of William Kerley, an early settler and 
proprietor of Lancaster, settled in the valley of the 
Assabet on the place recently owned by Aaron 
Morse. His father was Henry Kerley, s. of Henrv^ 
who was s. of the aforesaid William. The Kerley 
family was prominent in settlement and proprietor- 
ship in both Lancaster and Marlboro. The records 
afford scant material, but we gather that Henry, the 
father of Job, had a grant of land near the Assabet 



412 HISTORY OF THE 

in 1728. This may have been the land on which the 
Kerleys settled. 

Job Kcrlcy m. Sarah , by whom he had vSilas, 

b. 1734, d. young; Sarah, b. 1739; Silas, b. 1744, m. 
Hannah Walker, she d., m., 2d, Mary Wheeler; 
Joseph, b. 1752, m. Riihamah Davis of vStow in 1781, 
he d. 1833, at 80; Job, b. Nov. 28, 1760, m. Christian 
Khun and retained the homestead. Tradition holds 
that Job, Sr., and wife d. of small-pox and were 
buried on the farm. The two brothers of Job, Jr., 
settled near by: Silas on the Nathaniel Wheeler 
farm and Joseph east of the river, north of the road, 
near the Marlboro line; no other record of these 
brothers. Job d. here in 1836, at 76; wid. d. in 1840, 
at 87. They had no children, as appears by record. 
Job was the last of the name in town. Joseph is 
spoken of as a God-fearing man ; would be glad to 
add the like of Job. Thus ends the brief record of 
our Kerley families, which were quite prominent in 
the early settlement of Lancaster and ]Marlb()ro. 

KEYES. • 

The Keyes name is modern in Berlin, represented 
by David and Ziba and their children. Their re- 
motest ancestor was Robert of Watertown in 1633. 
Several of the family name settled in Shrewsbury 
and Boylston. The Berlin families are of the 
Shrewsbury branch, Dea. John Keyes. His s., 
Thomas, m. into the Livermore family of Ball hill. 
Thomas, Jr., was father to David and Ziba. 

David Kcycs, s. of Thomas, Jr., b. April 19, 1794, 
m. Linda Mira, dau. of Daniel Bruce ; res. near the 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 413 

Centre on the Northboro road, before owned by 
Luther Priest. Had Addison, b. May 3, 1827, and 
also two children d. in infancy. He d. Jan. 29, 1879, 
at 83 ; she d. May 24, 1867, at 69. 

Addison Kcycs, s. of David, m., June 23, 1870, Mary 
Jane Smith of vSudbury, dau. of Levi vSmith ; 
res., the homestead of his father; built a new 
house in place of the old Priest house; he is a 
carpenter and cabinet maker. 

Ziba Kcycs, s. of Thomas, Jr., b. Dec. 9, 1796, m., 
Aug. 19, 1828, Lois, dau. of Daniel Bruce; he set- 
tled in the west part ; built the house where Ebenezer 
W. Dailey now res.; was a wheelwright; had a shop 
near the crossing of the Old Colony railroad. He 
d. Nov. 27, 1850; she d. Jan. 24, 1840. Had Mary 
J., b. vSept. 23, 1828; Francis, b. Oct. 23, 1830, d. 
Dec. 20, 1830; Charles G., b. Oct. 19, 1831, res., Bo.s- 
ton, is a lawyer, office 28 State street, has been judge 
of the Municipal Court; Henry F., b. May 25, 1833, 
res., Clinton; John F., b. Feb. 5, 1835, res., Clinton; 
Ellen L., b, Nov. 9, 1839, m. William G. Sawyer 
Nov. 24, 1869, who d. j\Iarch 19, 1870. ]Mary J. and 
Ellen L. live at the -Dr. Hartshorn place and keep 
boarders. 

Some singular sorrows have fallen on several 
families of this name. A son of Thomas Keyes of 
]\Larlboro, 20 years old, fell with a stick of timber on 
his shoulder and was instantly killed. One, Thomas, 
b. 1692, was betrothed to Elizabeth Howe of Marl- 
boro; she was visiting her sister, Mrs. Joslin, in 
Lancaster, when the Indians fell upon the family, 
killing several, but carried ^Miss Howe into captivity. 



414 HISTORY OK THE 

Thomas resolved never to marry, but the father suc- 
ceeded in redeeming the daughter after four sad 
years. In 1698 the happy pair were married; she 
never recovered wholly from the Indian fright. 

As you go into Shrewsbury from Northboro. just 
east of the tannerv on the right, Capt. John Keyes 
was building a new house, an old one standing near; 
Capt. Keyes' three sons and two of the carpenters, 
sons of Ebenezer Bragg, were sleeping in the new 
house, when it took fire and the five young men 
perished in the flames. 

Robert Keyes and wife, Martha, were among the 
first settlers of Princeton on the eastern slope of 
Wachusett. They had a little daughter, who sud- 
denlv and mysteriously disappeared and no trace of 
her was ever found. The long agony of the household 
drove the mother into her grave. Now of late years, 
since the parental sorrow has been quelled in death, 
a confession comes from afar, made by one on his 
deathbed, who was once a neighbor, that from re- 
sentment to the parents he willfully murdered that 
innocent child. This now seems to be the accepted 
solution of the standing mystery. 

Many characteristics of families are named of far 
"less merit than mechanical skill. In all this region 
a wheel made by the Keyes brothers has its own 
seal. Ziba was a master workman in this line, — onlv 
an indication also of the exactness of his upright life. 
In mechanical skill should be included also Addison, 
s. of David Keyes, in carpentry and cabinet work. 

Another Keyes family have had connection with 
Berlin families, and some for a short time have lived 
here. These were descendants of Solomon Keyes, 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



415 



who may have been a brother of the original Thomas^ 
the head of the other family. 

James Kcycs, of the fifth gen. from Solomon, settled 
in Northboro on the farm now owned by George H. 
Murray; known also as the Prentice Keyes place; his 
wife was Meriam Babcock. Had Amos, b. Sept. 30, 
1785, m. Eunice, dau. of vSamuel Spofford, Sr., res., 
Rindge, N. H. ; they had Eliphalet, who worked in 
this vicinity some years ago; Prentice, b. ]\Iarch 25, 
I7<S7, retained the homestead; Roswell, b. March 23, 
1796, m. Eois Plowe of Berlin, went west, returned, 
lived in Rindge last ; had Ellen Louisa, m. Josiah 
Moore of Berlin, who d. June 2, 1856. 

K HATING. 

John II. Kiatiii!^, s. of James F. Keating, b. in 
Clinton Jan. 30, 1862, m. Agnes A. Lacey of Clin- 
ton ; is a blacksmith and wheelwright at the Riley 
vSmith shop in Carterville. Had James P., b. Dec. i, 
1883; Mary Ann, b. June I2, 1885; John D., b. Nov. 
10, 1886; Alice, b. July 14, 1889. 

KEI.I.KV. 

John M. Kiilcy, from Rockland, Me., m. Althcar A. 
Stratton of Sudbury ; moved on the Sanderson Carter 
place about 1870; rem. to Rhode Island in 1888. 

Had George, b. ; Roscoe W., d. April 7, 1882, 

age 19; Etta A., b. July 20, 1870; Harris M., b. Oct. 17, 
1873; Everett S. and Effie Isabelle, twins» b. Jan. io„ 
1881 ; Horace H., b. Aug. 12, 1883. 



41 6 HISTORY OF THE 

KILLAM. 

Fredc7'ick D. Killain, from Hillsboro, N. H., m. 
Sarah, dau. of Levi Wheeler, Sr. ; he settled in South 
Berlin and built the house where his s., Georg^e W., 
now res.; was a shoemaker; Had Lucretia H., b. 
March 22, 1842, m. Lorenzo W. Gould of Milford Feb. 
24, 1 891 ; vSarah W., b. Sept. 5, 1843, m. Milton H. 
Albee of Marlboro Aug. 25, 1867 ; Mary C, b. vSept. 
17, 1848, m. Albert S. Wilkins Feb. 23, 1869; Geo. 
W., b. July 4, 1850. He d. March 12, 1877, at 65; 
Avife d. Aug. 16, 1871. 

George W. Kalloin, as name is now spelled, s. of 
Frederick D., m. Alice M. Wilder from Pembroke, 
Me., April 19, 1874, res., homestead in South Berlin; 
is a shoemaker. Had Arthur W., b. May 4, 1875; 
Frank W., b. April 27, 1879. 

KING. 

Nathaniel H. Kin^ of LAmn m. Mary E. Marshall 
Nov. 14, 1 8 19; settled on the old Thomas Holder 
farm in 1854; remained on the same till 1875, when 
they both d. within sixteen days of each other ; he 
d. March 16, 1875, and she d. March i, 1875. Had 
Abigail, b. Aug. 21, 1821, m. Zachariah Graves of 
Lynn; Elizabeth, b. Dec. 28, 1823; William S., b. 
Feb. 23, 1827, d. young; Sarah H., b. x\ug. 31, 1832, 
m. Francis A. Wheeler, d. Dec. 24, 1859 ; 
Jerusha B., b. June 19, 1834, m. Jonathan D. vSouth- 
wick; AVilliam H., an adopted s., m. Persis, dau. of 
Amor}^ Carter, Jr. 

William King, b. Sept. 3, 1824, s. of William King 
of Herkimer, N. Y., m. Catherine Hathaway of 
Troy, N. Y,, res. in South Berlin, on the Jacob Boyce 



iMT " " 


. ;.jbj»---»dtw*^«^ J 


ggpijj^^ 




•'■^^*^*^Mrt^-S3SJSirfi!gB^^-j!0ffif 



JOHN F. LARKIN PLACE. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 417 

place; came here in 1892. Had Nellie F., b. May 5,. 
1853, m. Charles K. Shepherd; Grace E., b. Sept. 5^ 
1858; m. Edward S. Taylor. 

KNIGHT. 

George W. Knight, b. in Hampden, Me., Feb. 17, 
1845, m. Lettie A. Whitney Oct. i, 1867; came to 
town 1887; rem. to Northboro in 1892. He d. July 
25, 1895. Had Frank E., b. Aug. 14, 1868, m. Agnes 
M., dau. of Edward H. Lawrence, Dec. 3, 1890; 
Charles S., b. Nov. 19, 1872; Arthur G., b. Oct. 19, 
1875, d. in infancy. 

LARK IN. 

There is much of tradition about the Larkins, but 
great lack of record. Family tradition is that Philip 
was one of "three brothers" from Ireland. One set- 
tled in eastern Massachusetts, the other in New York. 
Edmund Larkin, grands, of Philip, had this version : 
That Philip, at the age of 16 years, came over 
privately in a vessel from Ireland to escape service 
in the British army ; bound himself to the captain to 
pay his passage when he could earn it, and this he 
did in the service of Rev. John Prentice of Lancas- 
ter ; that he found our section of Lancaster favorable 
for hunting, trapping, etc., which led him to the 
purchase of this tract of land, known lately as 
"Larkindale;" and still another theory is that he was 
a descendant of one Edmund Larkin of Charlestown 
(not probable). 

The Larkins, or O'Larkins, of Ireland were an 
ancient and glorious family, — once the powerful 
potentates of that land. The O'Larkins of Lagenia 

28 



41 8 HISTORY OF THE 

declare their descent from Cahir Moore, king of 
Leinster and monarch of Ireland of the Hermonia line. 
Our Philip Larkin may have been a distant 
descendant of that distinguished family, but no 
records at hand confirm the fact ; he was probably 
born about 1 700 ; his house at first was on the south 
side of Snake hill, and had a saw-mill near by. In 
1742, on request of Joshua Houghton, on the Israel 
Barnes place a strip of one mile in width was set oft" 
to Boylston. Philip refused to be included in this 
set-off and his premises were excluded, leaving the 
estate still in Lancaster. His son, Peter, was late 
in casting his lot with Berlin in 1792. 

Pliilip Larkin m. Alary . Had John, b. 

May 17, 1722; Mathias, b. Jan. 5, 1724; Peter, b. July 
29, 1727; William, b. March 13, 1730, d. 18 14, at 84; 
Edmund, b. March 11, 1733; no other record of 
births. Tradition assigns him a second wife, but in 
1744, in a deed to his s., John, his name stands alone ; 
after settling his son's, and closing up his affairs here, 
he went to Baltimore (date unknown) and never 
returned ; what called him there is unknown ; his 
neighbors alleged it was to get his sins pardoned by 
the Catholic bishop, the Catholic Church of Balti- 
more being the nearest of any at that time ; he prob- 
ably d. in jMaryland ; his grave and tablet are reported 
to have been found by Oscar Wilder, a soldier in the 
Union army, at Poolsville, Md., in 1862, There is 
no positive proof that he was a Catholic, some of his 
children were baptized in Lancaster. 

JoJdi Larkin, s. of Philip, m. Mary . Had 

Peter; William; Edmund; John; Mary; his will, 



TOWN OF BERLIN, 4^9 



probated in 1755, names the same and wid. Mary. 
Peter Larkin, s. of Philip, m. Azubah, dau. of John 
Wheeler of Shrewsbury, N. P. (Boylston); his house 
stood opposite the present old Larkin house, south 
of the road; he was in the expedition against 
Canada in 1 7 5 8 ; also at Lexington in 1 7 7 5 . He was 
drowned in Washacum pond in 1 8 1 5, at 88 yrs. ; wife, 
Azubah, d. 1805, at 74. Had by wife, Azubah, 
Betty, b. Dec. 27, 1751; Persis, b. Feb. 18, 1753; 
Hezediah, b. Dec. 29, 1755 : Mary, b. Sept. 27, 1757 ; 
Azubah, b. May 24, 1759; Jo^^^' ^^- J^"- 27,1761; 
Ephraim, b. March 29, 1763; Lucy, b. May 22. 1765, 
d. Oct. 4, 1778 ; Lucretia, b. April 4, 1767; Caty, b. 
May 22, 1769, d. Oct. i, 1778; Peter, b. Jan. 8, 1773, 
d. Sept. 27, 1778. Three of these children d. within 
seven days. 

Mathias Larkin, s. of Philip, m. Damaris Sawyer 
May 8, 1750 ; the house was west of his bro. Peter's, 
near the corner turning to Alfred Larkin\s. Had 
Mathias and probably other children not on record. 
Edmund Larkin, s. of Philip, m. Abigail Albert 
May 21, 1760; the records are wanting; the prob- 
abilities' favor the theory that he had a s., Edmund, 
b. 1762, who was the father of our Solomon, b. 1787, 
and his elder bro., Peter, b. 1784, who m. Lucy 
Bailey; Sarah Larkin, b. 1760, who was burned' to 
death near Alfred Larkin's in 1834; she and her 
bro., Benjamin, were children of Edmund, Sr. 
Edmund, Jr., rem. to Woodstock, Conn. 

HOW HE KILLED A BEAR. 

We give place to this short story to illustrate the inherent 
traits in certain families for fortitude and courage in emer- 



420 HISTORY OF THE 

gencies, such as were often exhibited in the early times in 
encountering and kilHng wild animals. The hero of this 
incident was of the Larkin family. A young son of Peter 
Larkin, say about 1770, was left at home to care for domestic 
affairs while the father was away working at his trade of carpen- 
ter. In the meantime a bear was discovered regaling himself 
on mutton in the immediate vicinity of the house. This boy, 
whether John or Ephraim, does not appear, seized the gun 
which was near at hand and blazed away at Bruin. The effect 
of the shot was unknown until the arrival of the father, when 
the bear was found dead on the hill adjoining. For a boy of 
ten years this was certainly a brave act. 

John Larkin, s. of Peter, m. Sarah Robinson of 
Holden June i, 1786; he retained the homestead of 
his father; was a soldier in the Revolutionary war; 
he d. April 13, 1 841, at 80 yrs. ; she d. Jan. 29, 1843, 
at 82 yrs. Had Peter, b. Oet. 16, 1787, d. Aug. 26, 
181 2; Luey, b. May 8, 1789, d. March 31. 181 5; 

Sally, b. ;May 8, 1791, m. Chaffin of Winchen- 

don, she d. May 18, 1820; John Flavel, b. Feb. 15, 
1796; Hezediah, b. June 3, 1794, m. Amory Harris of 
Lancaster. She d. Jan. 11, 1 820 ; her only s., George, 
graduated at Brown University in 1836, and d. ; her 
dau., Harriet, m. Charles Wilder of Lancaster; Cath- 
erine, b. Aug. 5, 1798, d. unm. Feb. 12, 1884, at 85; 
she was remarkably intelligent in reminiscences, but 
has left no records. 

Ephraim Larkin,\ Peter, Philip', m. Dinah, dau. of 
Jonathan Baker, Feb. 11, 1784; he established the 
homestead later owned by Ephraim Babcock, Albert 
Babcock and McPherson ; rem. to Rome, N. Y. Had 
John, b. Sept. 14, 1784; Miriam, b. ]\Iarch 6, 1786, 
m. Eddy; Ephraim, b. June 10, 1788; Lucre- 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 42 1 

tia, b. July 27, 1790, m. David Southwick of North- 
bridge, he d. at Jarvis Wheeler's while attending the 
Friends' quarterly meeting ; Asa G., b. July 3, 1792 
Dinah, b. vSept. 28, 1794; Baker, b. Feb. 18, 1797 
Peter, b. June 9, 1799; Hulda, b. Sept. 3, 1801 
Persis, b. Aug. 26, 1806. 

John Flacvl Lnrkin\ John', Peter, Philip', m., Oct. 
14, 1822, Cynthia Hayden of Sudbury; he remained 
on the homestead where John F, and Sarah now 
reside. Had Edwin A., b. March 2, 1824, m. Eliza- 
beth Wright of Mason, N. H., res., Townsend, d. 
May 23, 1874; Otis L., b. April 9. 1825 ; John Flavel, 
Jr., b. March 29, 1827; Dana M., b. June 21, 1829; 
Ellen A., b. May 8, 1831, m., Jan. 24, 1856, William, 
s. of Seth Rice, res., vShrewsbury; Sarah Cynthia, b. 
Dec. 6. 1835; Catherine M., b. Jan. 8, 1843, m., 
j\Iarch 17. 1872, Nelson Lewis of Hudson. He d. 
Jan. 17, 1854; wife, Cynthia, d. Jan. 14, 1847. 

Otis L. Lnrki)t^ s. of John Flavel, Jr., m. Charlotte 
Pierce of Rutland, she d. Oct. 26, 185 1 ; m., 2d, April 
7, 1853. Julia Winship, dau. of Stephen Winship. 
Had by Charlotte, Floretta, b. June 12, 1848; m. 

Sawyer, m., 2d, A. E. Cole, res. Hudson; Edgar 

P., b. May 5, 185 i ; had by Julia, William, b. Oct. 
4, 1855. Otis L. was town clerk in 1856; he d. 
Oct. 27, 1856; Julia, wid., d. , 

John F. Larkin, Jr.. s. of John Flavel, Jr.; unm. ; 
lives with his sister, Sarah C, on the home place; 
is a deacon of the Congregational Church. 

Dana M. Lark in, s. of John Flavel, Jr., m., Nov. 4, 
1868, Lucinda E. (Sargent) Starkey, wid. of Charles 
D. Starkev; he lives on the old farm just east of his 



42 2 HISTORY OF THE 

brc, John F., in the house built by himself. Had 
Otis H., b. June 4, 1869, d. Oct. 24, 1879; Ella E., b. 
Nov. 18, 1870, m. Alvin W. Howe, Marlboro ; War- 
ren D., b. April 5, 1872; Walter A., b. Aug. 24, 1873; 
EttaM.,b. April 24, 1875 ; EmmaC, b. March 2, 1879. 

Edgar P. Larkin, s. of Otis L., m. Ellen, dau. of 
Columbus Eames of Northboro, res., Hudson; has 
two children. 

Nelson H. Larkin, s. of Hiram Larkin of Beekman, 
N. Y., b. June 9, 1837, m. Chloe C. Br}'ant Nov. i, 
1866; she was b. July 4, 1842; came to Berlin in 
1882; peddler, res., Rufus Howard house; he is of 
no known connection with the other Larkins. 

LIVINGSTON. 

Ja))ics Livingston, from Scotland, m. ]\Iary Ann 
Simpson ; they came from Clinton ; res., Reuben Hast- 
ings place; he killed his wife Feb. 5, 1883, age 57; — the 
only murder committed within the limits of this town ; 
he was sentenced to the state prison and d. there.* 

LAWRENCE. 

Edicard H. Lawrence, s. of Ralph Lawrence, b. in 
Groton Dec. 22, 1832, m. Lucy M., dau. of Winsor 
Barnard, Aug. 18, 1855, res. in Carterville ; he was 
formerly engaged in the provision business here. 
Had Charles F., b. Jan. 21, 1857, m. Mary. dau. of 
Hiram Hardin, April 12, 1881, res., Cambridge; 
Arthur E., b. April 6, 1864, d. Feb. 25, 1867; Agnes 
^L, b. Jan. 11, 1868, m. Frank E. Knight. 

LASSELLE. 

John Lassellc came from Waterville, Me., b. March 



* Arad Taylor killed his wife Sept. ii, 1S95; this made the second murder. 






.^i£^ 


-pa^^ 






*0^ 





PROF. FKKD. W. MORSE. 

GEO. W. MAVNARD. 

W. H. MORSE. 



CAPT. JOHN D. MERRILL. 
LUCINDA MOOKE. 



EKFIE MERRILL. 

WALTER MERRILL. 

JOSIAII MOORE. 



TOWS OF BERLIN. 



423 



4, 1824, m. Sarah Noble Jan. 29, 1845 ; settled in the 
south part where Winsor Maynard formerly lived, in 
1887; d. Nov. 9, 1 89 1. Had William H., b. Oct. 22, 
1859; Henr}^ Ernest, b. April 24, 1864. 

Frank C. Lasscllc, b. in Saco, j\Ie., April i, 1829, 
bro. of John, came from Waterville, Me., in 1887 ; m., 
March 28, 1856, Catherine B. Lamphere. b. May 5, 
1834; settled on the Dea. Dexter Fay farm. Had 
Edward C, b. May 11, 1857; Paliand, b. Oct. 9, 
i860, d. Jan., 1885; Lamphere D., b. Dec. 26, 1862; 
John P., b. July 31, 1867, res., Mexico; Jenette 
L., b. Jan. i. 1873; Arthur H., b. Dec. 2, 1878. 

//. Ernest Lasscllc, s. of John Lasselle, m., Sept. 11, 
1885, Eliza Richardson of Belgrade, Me.; came to 
Berlin in 1891 ; is a dealer in grain and groceries in 
South Berlin, of the firm of Lasselle & Walter. Had 
Harold D., b. Nov. 30, 1887 ; John R.,b. July 12, 1892. 

LONG LEY. 

Abel IV. Longley, b. Oct. i, 1823, s. of Ira B. and 
Dolly (Carter) Longley of Boylston, m. Mary J. Sar- 
tell of Pepperell Oct. 13, 1847; came to Berlin in 
1857; built the new house now owned by vS. R. 
Carter ; was representative to the General Court in 
1865; d. Aug. 22, 1879; ^^'i^^- ^^'•^- ^^ Carterville. 

MACCAKTV. 

Florence MacCnrty, b. in Ireland Aug. 15, 18 18, m. 
Mary Ann Burke, and by her had : Jeremiah, b. in 
Bolton Sept. 15, 1853, m. Anna A. Dailey, res.. Fitch- 
burg. Wife, Ann, d. and he rem. to Berlin about 
1855; m., 2d, Margaret Sullivan, by whom he had : 



424 HISTORY OF THE 

Katie E., b. April 30, 1858, res., Lowell; John, b. 
Aug. 3, 1861; Dennis, d. in infancy; James P., b. 
Aug. 14, 1867. Florence lived at first when he came 
to Berlin in a house now gone, which stood on the 
knoll where the gravel pit now is in Carterville; 
later he bought the Asa Bride place, where he d. 
Nov. 17, 1882; the family have since sold the place 
and live in Carterville. 

MACPIIERSON. 

Duncan MacPhcrson, b. in Glasgow, Scotland, m 
Jenette Mensier. Had, b. in Scotland, Nellie, m 

Bartlett of Clinton; James, b. July 10, 1865 

Frank, b. ; Duncan, b. in Clinton June 1 9, 1 869 

Hugh E.,b. June6, 1872, m. Lilla B. Newsome, Aug 
21, 1895 ; Norman, b. Dec. 24, 1874. Wife d. Aug. 26, 
1891 ; he resides on the place once owned by Albert 
Babcock. 

MARSH. 

Alexander MarsJi was an inhabitant here about 
1 8 16; he lived on the south road, the place where E. 
C. Shattuck recently res. ; he removed to Shrewsbury 
and thence to Worcester, where he d. at the age of 
more than 90 yrs. Hon. Henr}' A. Marsh, the mayor 
of Worcester 1893-4-5, is his s. 

MAYNARl). 

Jothain Maynard, a descendant of John Maynard, 
one of the early settlers of Sudbur}^ b. 17 14, m. 
Abigail Allen 1 740 ; his homestead was at the foot 
of the hill north of where Frank C. Lasselle now 
lives (the Dexter Fay place) ; he was an original 
member of the Berlin Church and d. in 1788. Had 



TOWN OF BERLIN'. 425 

Jotham, b. 1 741; Antipas, b. ; Hallam, b. 

; Barnabas, b. 1 747 ; Abiel, b. _ ; Abner, 

b. ; Prudence, m. Stow; Keziah, m.' 

Paul Newton, Jr. ; David and Israel. 

Jotham Maynara\ Jr., Jotham", m. Dinah Powers 
of Westboro May 19, 1763; he was living north of 
the present res. of Francis Babcock in 1784; the old 
cellar hole is still visible west of the Lancaster road. 
Had Dinah, b. April 10, 1764, m. Joshua Wheeler, 
Jr., m., 2d, Asa Rider, she d. in Holliston 1823 i 
Jotham, b. Ma}' 14, 1766, m. ^lina Temple, m., 2I, 
Thankful Moore, hed.in Dalton 1847 ; Hannah Allen,' 
m. Sanderson Carter; Persis, b. Feb. 10, 1771, d! 
1775: Chloe, b. Sept. 18, 1773, m. Stanton Carter, 
Jr., April 5. 1797, shed, in Berlin 1799; Antipas. b. 
April 2-], 1776, m. wSally Rice, res., Keene, N. H. ; 
Asa, b. Oct. 6, 1778, d. in Xorthboro 1830. Wife, 
Dinah, d. 1822. 

Barnabas JMaynard', ]o\.\ii\w\\m. Mary White; he 
settled on the Maynard homestead, the place now 
owned by F. C. Lasselle. Had Sally, m. William 
Morse, who settled near by ; Zilpah, b. Oct. 22, 1783, 
m. Dexter Fay; Betse}-, b. 1786, m., 1808, Rev. War- 
ren Fay, settled in Brimfield and Charlestown, both 
d. in Xorthboro. Capt. Barnabas, d. Sept. 23, 1828, 
at 81 ; wife d. vSept. 16, 18 14, age 72. 

Abncr Maynard', Jotham', m. Susannah Greene 
Oct. 8. 1778. Had Susan, m., 1803, Edward Fuller 

of Lancaster; Abner, b. ; Zipporah, b. ; 

no other record. 

Israel Maynard\ Jotham', m. Deliverance Fife Jan. 



426 HISTORY OF THE 

20, 1785. Had Dilly, bap. April 30, 1786; family 
rem. to Dublin, N. H. 

George IV. J/ayunrd, \vhose parents came from 
Great Bend, Pa., was b. June 14, 18 10; m. Sophia, 
dau. of Ivory Bigelow of ]\Iarlboro, Nov., 1832; he 
lived in the south part, first in the house owned by 
Mrs. John Lasselle, and later where his s., Charles 
B., now res.; was a shoe manufacturer; carried on 
business with Elisha M. Whitney, under the firm 
name of Maynard & Whitney, and did a profitable 
business for about ten years before the war. Had 
Harriet Jane, b. Aug. 14, 1833, m. John O. Osgood; 
Susan Hayden, b. Feb. 27, 1835, m. Charles C. Wright, 
who d. 1890; Angeline Maria, b. Aug. 6, 1837, d. 
Aug. 21, 1845; Creorge Emerson, b, Aug. 6, 1839; 
Mary Elizabeth, b. Feb. 4, 1842, m. Joseph L. Coburn; 
Adeline vSophia, b. Aug. 17, 1844, d. April 13, 1849; 
Charles Bigelow, b. Nov. 24, 1846; John William, b. 
June 10, 1849, m. Mary Clarke of Lynn, where he 
res.; Frank and Fannie, twins, b. May 22, 1852; 
Fannie, d. Feb. 24, 1853; Frank, m. Helen Stevens 
and has five children, res., Hudson. Wife, Sophia, 
d. June I, 1852, age 42; he m., 2d, Eunice (Crouch) 
Bailey June 16, 1853, by whom he had: Carrie 
Lunette, b. Feb. 16, 1857, d. June 28, 1875 ; Cora 
Estelle, b. April 15, 1859, d. Jan. 29, 1872. Wife, 
Eunice, d. Nov. 21, 1861, age 47 ; he m., 3d, Roxana 
J. Upham of Wakefield June, 1864, by whom he had: 
Andrew Lincoln, b. March 27, 1865. George W., d. 
May 5, 1877, age 66; wid., Roxana, returned to 
Wakefield, where she d. 

George Eniersofi Maynard\ George W.', m., ^lay 21 
1 86 1, Ellen Howland, dau. of Mrs. Elisha Bassett 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 427 

by former husband ; soon after his marriage he rem. 
to Empire Prairie, Andrew county, Missouri ; re- 
turned to BerHn in 1863; enlisted in the 3d Mass. 
Cavalry; was in Gen. Banks' expedition up Red 
river; after the war returned to Missouri and there 
engaged in successful farming for some years; he 
and his oldest dau., Grace, were killed and his build- 
ings demolished in a cyclone which swept over that 
section in June, 1880. His wid. and the two remain- 
ing children, Nellie and Dan, returned to Berlin 
soon after this dreadful disaster; her res. is in the 
west part of the Bride Academy building. 

Charles B. Mayiicinf, George W'., m. Nellie Frink 
of vSwanzey, N. H. ; he was engaged in the grocery 
business for some years in Wakefield, but returned 
here about 1875, and is now engaged in farming and 
market gardening on his father's old place in South 
Berlin. Had Ernest B., b. Aug. 24, 1872; Lester 
R., b. Oct. 1, 1874; Mabel A., b. Oct. 23, 1876. 
Ethel P., b. Jan. 4, 1879; Minnie Eunice, b. Aug. 
14, 1882; LelandC, b. Aug. 23, 1889. 

W'iiisor Mayuard, s. of Taylor Maynard of North- 
boro, b. Dec. 28, 1808, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Ivory 
Bigelow of Marlboro, Sept. 25, 1832, she d. Nov. 14* 
1835, at 23 yrs. ; he m., 2d, Cynthia (Crouch) Whit- 
comb Aug. 25, 1836, wid. of Amory W^hitcomb of 
Bolton and mother of Amasa A. Whitcomb. Had 
by Elizabeth, three children, d. young. Winsor lived 
in Bolton until 1853, when he rem. to Berlin and 
bought the place where ^Mrs. John Lasselle now res. 
Had by Cynthia, John Q., b. Oct. 22, 1837; Mary L., 
b. April 6, 1840, d. vSept. 25, 1858; Amory T., b. Dec. 



428 HISTORY OF THE 

27, 1842; Sarah E., b. Oct. 11, 1847, m. Edward P. 
Hastings, she d. vSept, 12, 1875 ; Lunette M., b. vSept. 
19, 1849, she d, Jan. 3, 1850. Winsor d. Jan. 12, 
1886; Cynthia, d. Aug. 10, 1894. 

[ohn Q. Mayiiard, s. of Winsor, m. C. Eldora, dau. 
of William G. Hapgood, Sept. 12, 1865; he lives in 
the south part in the house built by Tilson W. Bar- 
ker; he was a soldier in the late war; was wounded 
in the foot at the battle of Fredericksburg. Had Cora 
Gertrude, b. Aug. 9, 1867, d. Oct. 25, 1868; Willie, 
b. Aug. 5, 1869, d. in infancy; Ernest A., b. April 
21, 1872, is a student in the Boston University. 

Aniory T. MaynanP, Winsor', m. Lauretta A. Chase 
of Eitchburg Oct. 3, 1867; he enlisted in Co. I, 36th 
Mass. \"ols., and was in the service to the close of 
the war. Had Mattie Edith, b. May 8, 1869; Mary 
Elsie, b. Oct. 15. 1873; Francis Winsor, b. March 8, 
1878, d. young. Wifed. JFeb. 18, 1893; he rem. to 
^Marlboro. 

George JMaynard of East Berlin, formerlv written 
George ^V. ; he was b. in Marlboro, m. Lucinda, dau. 
of Henry Brown, June 18, 1829; he was a truckman 
in Boston for some years; he settled on the place 
recently occupied by his s., George Henry, near the 
Ira Brown farm. Had Lucinda ]\I., b. Jan. 22, 1831, 
m. Jesse E. Bliss; Hattie A., b. July 26, 1833, m. 
Frank Jones Jan. 4, 1852; Georgiana L., b. July 8,' 
1835, m. Elbridge Carter July 20, 1852; George 
Henrv', b. Jan. 2, 1839. George (W.) d. Jan. 18, 
1865, age 62 yrs. 

George Henry Mayjiard, s. of George, m. Ellen M. 
Wesson March 23, 1 860 ; he occupied the homestead ; 



TOWN OF EERLIX. 



429 



had a good sized shoe shop on his place and did con- 
siderable business for a time ; he sold to Francis E. 
Brigham ; he is now proprietor of the Crystal Spring 
House on the line between Berlin and Hudson. 
Had Ida M., b. Nov. ir, 1861, m. William H. San- 
born Nov. 18, 1886; Lena G., b. June 7, 1864, m. 
Charles Leach; Frederick C, b. March 14, 1866; 
Blanche L, b. Xov. 24, 1867; Lulu E., b. Nov. 9, 
1873 ; Elmer H., b. Jan. 29, 1877; Harry A., b. March 
17, 1 88 1. 

MEKIA.M. 

Amos JAv'/^?;//, b. July 15, 171 5, from Lexington, 
m., Nov. 9, 1738, Abigail Danforth of that town; 
they rem. to Bolton, now Berlin, in 1765 ; he was the 
ancestor of the Meriams of this town ; they were a 
leading element in our social and civil life of a gen- 
eration or more ago; the genealogy of the family 
runs back to Joseph, b. in England, d. in Concord in 
1641 ; he had a s., Joseph, b. 1630; Joseph, Jr., had 
s., John, who was the father of Amos, who settled 
here ; the place where he settled is now owned by 
Richard ]\L Wheeler ; the place had before been 
owned by Thomas Ball, Benjamin Houghton, and 
Eleazer Russell; the old house stood considerably 
east of the present one, and the barn still further 
across the swale; the present house was built as ap- 
pears from a tile in the chimney-top marked 1775; 
a grist-mill utilized the little brook, and the present 
meadow west of the road was its reservoir; a black- 
smith shop stood back of the house; an old apple 
tree, the famous "Leominster Sweeting," near the 
old house spot was probably the first of the kind in 



430 HISTORY OF THE 

Berlin ; the Meriams brought the fruit from Leom- 
inster, where part of the family settled; William 
Babcock succeeded the Meriams on this farm. Had 
Amos, b. July 24, 1 739, res., Leominster; Jonathan and 
Hephzibah, twins, b. May 16, 1741 ; this Jonathan was 
deacon and d. June 5, 1823, unm. ; Hephzibah, d. 
young; Hannah, b. Feb. 9, 1744, m. James Townsend, 
d. April 7, 1777; Sarah, b. April 20, 1746, m., Oct. 
4, 1787, William Lincoln of Leominster; Lucy, b. 
Sept. 4, 1748, m. William Whitcomb of Bolton, she 
d. Sept. 12, 1773; Levi, b. Feb. 3, 1756; Abigail, b. 
March 31, 1758, m., Dec. 13, 1781, Uriah Moore of 
Princeton, whose dau., Hannah, m. William Babcock 
and came back to the old homestead; Mary and 
another, Levi, b. 1748 to 1756. He d. May 5, 1786; 
she d. April 17, 181 1, at 89; both buried in Bolton 
South cemetery. 

Levi Mcriain\ Amos', m. Abigail, dau. of William 
Fife, June 18, 1778; he settled on the new home- 
stead, bought by him of James Goddard, Sr., 1778, 
the place where the Berlin Hotel is, just west of 
Carterville, containing eighty-four acres, including a 
part of Powder House hill and blacksmith shop; 
later owned by Mossman, Wilder and Bullard; "roads 
and burying place reducted." Had Abigail, b. May 
20, 1779, m, Samuel Jones, 3d, res., IMarlboro, N. 
H., she d. 1851; Levi, b. Aug. 8, 1781, res., Boston, 
m. Mary B. Stevens, he d. 1831 ; they had children: 
Benjamin ; Charles ; Mary Ann, who m. George Abram 
Babcock, and Sarah, who d. in early womanhood, Levi, 
Sr., had also: Sally, b. June 12, 1783, m. William 
Jones, res., Marlboro, N. H.; Hannah, b. March 18, 
1787, m. Joseph Parks, she d. 1825 ; Jonathan Dan- 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 43 1 

forth, b. Oct. 8, 1789; Dilly, b. Oct. 8, 1793, m. 
Samuel Carter, res., Lancaster; Mirick, b. Aug. 4, 
1796, d. 1797. He d. March 19, 181 2; wid. d. Feb. 
16, 1832; he was a prominent and much esteemed 
citizen, and his death in mid-life was much lamented. 

Joiiatliaii D. Mcria)ii\ Esq., Levi", Amos', m. Polly 
Goss ; he succeeded his father on the homestead west 
of Carterville ; took a lively interest in town affairs ; 
was especially active in the matter of roads and 
bridges ; a stone that would cover a bridge or make 
a gate post or a wall abutment enthused him ; his 
barnyard wall is worth looking at to-day; that abut- 
ment stone was his pride; there was a "turn-out" of 
men and oxen to draw it some quarter of a mile ; a 
chain had to be made for the hindermost yoke ; Dea. 
Luther Peters wrought it from old scythe backs; it 
was in demand ever after for moving buildings ; his 
farm was all walled in. Esq. Jonathan D. was captain 
of the cavalry, and with his company was escort of 
Gen. Lafayette when entertained at the vS. V. S. 
Wilder mansion in Bolton in 1825 ; his military life 
cost him considerable money; he was public-spirited 
at personal expense ; was a frequent administrator of 
estates and guardian of orphans; besides the writer 
of this, thirteen other fatherless children were under 
his guardianship at one time. In the loss of his 
property with one ward yet under him, he "made 
over" various household articles, including his watch, 
to save his charge from loss. He was a terror to 
naught}^ boys, in meeting or on the street ; he was 
representative to the General Court in 1827-28; he 
kept a diary of his experience ; it is not of much 
.account, yet in one point gratifying at least. I 



432 HISTORY OF THE 

mean occasional asjnrations and prayerful utterances 
for the divine favor, "Charity hopeth all things." 
When the stage line was established from Barre to 
Boston, through Berlin, Esq. Aleriam was the prin- 
cipal investor of Berlin. The coach brought the 
post office and Meriam was the first postmaster and 
the first driver of the coach, but it proved a losing 
business for the proprietors. He was obliged to sell 
his homestead to liquidate his indebtedness; he 
moved on to the place where Christopher Wheeler 
now lives, and there d. soon after. 

Nancy Mcriaui, a protegee of the family, was of the 
Leominster branch; she m. Artemas Barnes. The 
mother of Esq, Meriam, a most estimable woman as 
we personally well know, having been of the same 
household, lived with him the remainder of her davs. 
He d. Nov. 13, 1850; wife Polly d. a few years 
after (no date). 

MILLER. 

['"rcdcrick Miller, from Baden, Germany, came to 
Berlin in 1844; m. Elizabeth Harrington of South 
Boston ; by trade a shoemaker ; was a soldier in the 
late war, for three years in the 2 2d Regt., Mass. 
Vols. ; was in the battle of Gettysburg and also of 
Spottsylvania, where he was wounded in the arm ; 
his wife, Elizabeth, d. Jan. i, 1877, age 52; hem., 
2d, Mary Elizabeth, dau. of Dr. Lemuel Gott, Oct. 
22, 1893. Had by Elizabeth, Ella A., b. Oct. 10, 
185 I ; George S., b. Nov. 6, 1855 ; Ella A., m. Everett 
Hebard Jan. 12, 1871, and by him had: Frederick 
E., b. Sept. I, 1875, who has been brought up by 




]i)iiN A. MooKk. 
15. ill Boston Dec. 5, 1S44; m. Annie M. 
Kobbins Jan. 6, 1S75; res., East Berlin; 
came to town iSSS. 

LuciNDA B. Maynakii. 
B. Dec. S, 1S05. 



Kl.l-.\ A. llKIiAKM. 

Alkaretta F. BENNtrT. 



TOWTSI OF RERUN. 433 

Mr. Miller; Georo;e vS., m. Lefa Carter Dec. 4, 1883, 
and lives in Ashland. 

William Miller, bro. of Frederick, m. Christina 

; he is a shoemaker; lived here a few years; 

rem. to Hudson. Had William Henry, b. Feb. 2 1 , 
1859, d. vSept. 4, 1864, at 5 yrs. ; Frederick E., b. July 
12, 1863, d. Sept. 13, 1864, both of diphtheria. 

Charles Miller, b. in Warwick, :Mass., m. Matilda 
Lowe of Lancaster ; was a comb maker; learned his 
trade of Francis Haynes of Bolton ; worked for the 
Harrises; rem. to the old Dea. James Goddard place 
Aug. 14, i860; built the house now on the premises. 
He d. Jan. 2, 1875 ; she d. June 2. i8go. Had Eliza- 
beth M., b. Nov. 10, 1845, m. Henry J. Sawyer; Mary 
L., b. May 13, 1850, m. William H. Workman April 
27, 1876; he deserted her and she d. in Hudson May, 
1895. 

MOORE. 

The families of this name who settled in the north 
part of this town were a branch of a numerous family 
which settled on the eastern slope of the Wataquod- 
ock range. The ancestral head appears to have been 
John Moore, b. in England about 1600, and was land 
proprietor in Lancaster in 1652. His s., John, b. in 
Sudburv, where his father had settled, was also a 
land proprietor of Lancaster ; his home at first was 
on the Nashua, but in 1665 he built a new house 
southeast of Wataquodock. and no record indicates 
that it was destroyed in the destruction of the town 
in 1676; he d. 1702. This John, Jr., had a s., John, 
b. 1662, and a s., Jonathan, b. 1669, both of whom 



434 HISTORY OF THE 

were at various times representatives to the General 
Court. Jonathan is supposed to have lived on the 
Thomas Fry farm, which was sold by his s., Jona- 
than, to John Fry in i 767. Had also a s., Isaac, who 
settled on Wheeler hill in Berlin, and he had Isaac, 
who succeeded him on the place, and another s., 
Abraham, who lived on the Avery Newton place in 
Bolton. By Nourse's "History of Worcester County" 
it appears the mills now owned bv Otterson, known 
formerly as Pollard's mills in Bolton, were built by 
Jonathan Moore in 1 7 1 4, but rmother account ascribes 
their erection to Thomas Sawyer, Jr., and bv him 
deeded to Amorv Pollard for his kindness and 
fidelity. 

Isaac Moore, s. of Isaac, b. vSept. 9, I74<S, m. Alary, 
dau. of Capt. Joseph Bigelow of the Marlboro familv. 
June 28, 1768; the farm embraced the lands now 
owned bv Robert B. Wheeler and Edward L. 
Wheeler ; the house stood west of the road nearly 
opposite Edward L.'s, and was probably built by 
Isaac, vSr., about 1740. He d. Jan. 5, 1S25: she d. 
Feb. 23, 1825. 

The mother of Isaac was Desire Bailcv, dau. of 
Benjamin. Dr. Jacob Moore, s. of Jacob, s. of Isaac, 
some yet remember was a vigorous schoolmaster, so 
some once West Berlin boys can well remember; he 
settled in West Bovlston, where he d. earlv, and his 
wid. m. Rev. David R. Lampson of Berlin about 
1836. We are disinclined to bring to light old 
school abuses; some such were just abominable; no 
doubt some pupils were injured physically. This 
Isaac Moore, whose wife was Desire Bailey, was suc- 
ceeded on the place by his s., Isaac, b. vSept. 9, 1748. 





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(»EN. Jackson. Seep. 401. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



435 



Had Anna, b. April i6, 1769, m. William, s. of James 
Goddard, St. ; he d., she m., 2d, Elijah Ball of 
Boylston; Asenath, b. May 3, 1770, m. David Barnes; 
Isaac, b. Jan. 12, 1772, res.. New Hampshire; Mary, 
b. Feb. 8, 1774, m. Abner Bennett 1796;. Olive, b. 
Jan. 9, 1776, m. Timothy Houghton of Bolton; Solo- 
mon, b. Aug. 8, 1777, m. Hannah Fife, res., New 
Hampshire; Abigail, b. Aug. 18, 1781, m. Isaac Stone 
of Boylston; shed., he m., 2d, her sister, Sarah, b. 
May I, 1784; he was the father of Isaac S. Stone of 
Berlin; Nancy, b. Oct. 1 i, 1785, m. Willard Stone of 
Rutland ; Joseph, b. Aug. 14, 1787; Warren, b. Feb. 
9. 1793- 

Joseph Moore, s. of Isaac, Jr., m. vSarah Pollard May 
23, 1 8 10; he retained the homestead. Had Arissa, 
b. June 12, 181 I, m. Josiah Sawyer; Hannah, b. June 
21, 1813, m. Harris Badger of Cambridge April 15, 
1835; Ezra, b. Feb. 24, 181 5, m. Mary Fife, res., 
Ohio. Wife, vSarah, d. Nov. ii, 1816; he m., 2d, 
Betsey Warner, by whom he had : vSarah P., b. 1 8 19 ; 
Elizabeth M., b. 1822; Joseph B., b. 1824, father of 
Mrs. F. A. Woodward, res., Lancaster; Amory H., 
1826, d. July II, 1858; Isaac W., b. 1828; Mary J., 
b. 1830; Jerusha K., b. 1831. Wife, Betsey, d. Aug. 
25, 1837 ; he m., 3d, Mrs. Adaline Stone; he d. Nov. 
23, 1854; his wid. d. Dec. 10, 1863. 

Warren Moore, s. of Isaac, Jr., m. Hannah, dau. of 
Sanderson Carter, Jan. 24, 18 14; he settled on a part 
of the homestead, the farm now owned by Robert 
B. Wheeler; built that house in 1817. Had Mary 
B., b. May 13, 1 8 16, d. Oct. 6, 1 828 ; Warren Elbridge, 
b. Dec. 31, 18 1 7, m. Abigail Meriam Cutting of 



436 HISTORY OF THE 

Princeton, res., Northboro, she d. 1865; m., 2d, 
Emma Newton of Newfane, Vt., June 29, 1871 ; 
Addison M., b. 1824, d. 1825. Wife, Hannah, d. 
July 23, 1825 ; he m., 2d, Mrs. Susan Keyes of 
•Princeton, by whom he had Lorenzo L., b. Jan. 2, 
1820, res., Northboro; Hervey, b. 1826, m. Phebe 
Hapgood, res., Marlboro, d. 1888. Warren Moore d. 
July 3, i827;wid. m., 3d, Benjamin Rice of North- 
boro. Lorenzo L. m. Betsey; shed. 1871; m., 2d, 
Mary Leonard; she d. x\ug., 1894. 

Oliver Moore, s. of Cornelius of Bolton, m. Susan 
Cutting of Leominster in 1834; lived on the Caleb 
Houghton place, later owned by Merrick Sargent. 
Had Samuel W., b. March 7, 1835; Robert P., b. 
1836, d. 1856; vSusan K., b. Nov. 13, 1840; John M., 
b. Oct. 18, 1842; Mary E., b. Oct. 8, 1844, d. Feb. 17, 
1845. He d. July 17, 1848, aged 45 ; Susan, his wid., 
m. Jonathan Babcock and rem. to Barre. 

Samuel IV. Moore, s. of Oliver, m. Ellen P., dan. of 
Capt. vSilas Sawyer, Aug. 31, 1856; she d. Oct. 18, 
1863; hem., 2d, Harriet F. White, res., Lancaster. 

Stephen Moore kept store in what is now the res. of 
George H. Felton, about 1822-30. 

Lyi/ian Moore, bro. of Stephen, was his partner; 
rem. to Lancaster; was deputy sheriff. 

Cummins Moore, from Sudbur}', m. Lucinda (Saw- 
yer) Carter, wid. of Amory Carter, ^r. ; he lived on 
her place on Sawyer hill, where Willard G. Bruce 
now res. He d. July 9, 1831 ; she d. March 8, 1875. 

Samuel J. Moore, s. of John of Sharon, N. H., b. 
Sept. 9, 1 8 10, m. Elizabeth, dau. of William Bartlett 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



437 



1839; she d. Jan. 13, 1892; res., near Bolton depot; 
no children. 

Erjra S. Moore, b. Nov. 29, 18 14, s. of Phineas of 
Boylston, m. Lucy, dan. of Luther Carter, April 20, 

1843, service by Rev. Isaac Allen of Bolton, the last 
he ever performed; he kept store in Carterville in 

1844, Bolton in 1861, Hudson in 1871, and lastly in 
Berlin Centre in 1879, and was succeeded by the 
present incumbent, Christopher S. White; he suc- 
ceeded A. A. Bartlett as postmaster in 1881 ; he rem. 
to Marlboro in 1891, and to West vSomerville in 1893, 
where he d. Feb. 24, 1895. Had Eugene E., b. May 

28, 1850, d. yoimg; Lelia H., b. June 6, 1852; 
Arthur M., b. July 23, 1856; Grace L., b. Dec. 24, 
1863. 

Josiah Moori\ s. of Phineas of Boylston, m. Ellen 
Keyes; he lived in Carterville; was a shoemaker; 
kept a liverv stable ; dealt in wood and lumber ; was 
a farmer ; was treasurer and collector fourteen years. 
Had by Ellen, Abbie E., b. 185 i, d. 1852. Wife, El- 
len, d. June 2, 1856, age 24 ; he m., 2d, Fidelia vSmith 
of Farmington, Me.; by her had: Nellie F., b. June 

29, 1858, d. Dec. 29, i860; Jenny F., b. Feb. 14, i860, 
m. Willard C. Carter Nov. 17, 1880; Nettie A., b. 
March 21, 1862, m. James T. Learned Dec. 3, 1885. 
Josiah d. June 10, 1891. 

Marshall C. Moore, from Sudbury, m. Emeline, dau. 
of Dr. Williams of Shrewsbury; her mother m. a 
Parmenter of Marlboro; they came to town about 
i860; lived on the Esquire Meriam place, where the 
Berlin Hotel is ; rem. to the house where Oscar Jones 



438 HISTORY OF THE 

now lives, on the road from the Centre to the Old 
Colony R. R. depot, about 1875.- Had Leon W., b. 
1848; Annie, b. 1864, d. 1865. A remarkable mor- 
tality occurred in this family. The father, Marshall, 
d. Jan. 10, 1877, ag-e 56; the s., Leon, d. Jan. 15, 
1877, ^^^ wife, Emeline, d. Jan. 18, 1877, all of 
pneumonia within eight days, and the house was 
closed. 

MORAN. 

Henry Moraii, b. 1834, m., May 10, 1871, Almira 
Prime of New York; was a soldier in the late 
war; rem. to Marlboro; no connection with the 
other Moran family. Had (xoldie M., b. May 30, 
1872. 

Patrick F. Moran, b. Feb. 2, 1822, at Athlone, 
Roscommon Co., Ireland; came to Lancaster, now 
Clinton, June, 1846. Mary Gallagher, b. May 10, 
1822, at Mountalbut, Roscommon Co., Ireland; came 
to Lancaster, now Clinton, May, 1845; were m. at 
Worcester Sept. 21, 1 848 ; came to Berlin, March, 
1855. Patrick F. Moran d. April 15, 1884; Mary, 
wife, d. Aug. 14, 1877. Had Margaret A., b. Jan. 
2, 1850, Sister of Mercy, Pawtucket, R. I.; Peter F., 
b. Jan. 7, 1853, physician in Marlboro, d. vSept. 11, 
1889; Martin W., b. Oct. 29, 1854, physician in Bos- 
ton; John E., b. May 4, 1856, res. on home place in 
Berlin ; Daniel P., b. Feb. 25, 1858, res., Franklin, 
Mass.; Mary J., b. Feb. 5, i860, m. Thomas F. 
Redian of Clinton; Nellie E., b. July 19, 1861, at 
home in Berlin; Thomas H., b. July i, 1863, dentist 
in Boston. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 439 



MORSE. 

Aaro/i Morse-, christened Aaron Ward Morse, s. of 
Winsor and Lucy (Stralton) Morse of Marlboro, was 
one of eleven children and was of the sixth genera- 
tion from Joseph Morse, who came from Ipswich, 
England, in 1634, and was a "proprietor in Water- 
town in 1635;" Aaron wash. Oct. 13, 1801, and m. 
Abigail, dan. of Bezaleel Hale of Stow, and sister of 

Col. Hale, a prominent citizen of Rockbottom. 

Mr. Morse was a custom shoemaker and carried on 
business several years in Stow; rem. to Berlin in 
1838; bought the Dea. Amos Sawyer plage on the 
Assabet, where he d. Feb. 16, 1869, age 67 ; wid. d. 
vSept. 23, 1882, at 80. Had Walter, b. April 9, 1833, 
res., Hudson ; Charles, b. June 25, 1 835, res.. Harvard ; 
Lyman, b. Feb. 24, 1837; George, b. Feb. 12, 1839, 
res., Sudbury; Caroline, b. Jan. 21, 1843, m. Ruthven 
Hastings. 

Lviiiciii J/orsc; s. of Aaron, m. Emma P., dau. of 
Cyrus Mentzer of Northboro, April 4- 1^82; he re- 
mained on the homestead; worked at shoemaking 
and farming; was on the Board of Selectmen and 
was representative to the General Court; had no 
children. He d. Feb. 12, 1891; wid. m. Dr. Harri- 
man of Hudson. 

/Aw-)' Jforsc; from Clinton, m. Sarah N. Lawton; 
lived on the Katy Larkin place in 1885 ; she d. Dec. 
21, 1886, age 64; res., Clinton. 

Uws/o2i' />. J/ors,, b. Nov. 15. 1823. s. of Jesse 
Morse of Mariboro, m. Susan C, dau. of Lewis Car- 
ter, March 31, 1^47; she d. April 20, 1855, leaving 
no children ; he m., 2d, Eugenia S., sister of Susan 



440 HISTORY OF THE 

C, May I, 1856; he lived in his minority with Capt. 
Paul Brigham ; after his marriage he occupied the 
Welcome Barnes place; rem. to the Capt. Paul farm 
in 1865; sold the same in 1892 and bought the 
Edwin Sawyer place in Carterville, which he enlarged 
and repaired; was on the Board of Assessors in 
1858-62, and selectman in 1877; he d. Aug. 18, 
1893. Had Susan C, b. Aug. 31, 1859, m. Daniel 
H. Bassett; Lucy S., b. Dec. 20, -1862, d. Aug., 1865 ; 
Fred W., b. Dec. 6, 1865 ; Jennie E., b. June 9, 1868, 
graduated Northboro high school, has taught school 
five years; Sibyl E., h. Sept. 6. 1871, d. May 3, 
1873- 

Ainory C. Morse, bro. of Winslow B., m. Mary S,, 
dau. of Capt. Samuel Spofford, July 7, 1847; he lived 
on the place owned by his wife, Mary vS., a part of 
the Capt. Samuel Spofford farm. Had Thirza M., b. 
May I, 1852, d. March 11, 1853; Charles E., b. Aug. 
14, 1856, d. Aug. 14, 1861 ; Mary Amanda, b. Dec. 
20, 1859. He d. Feb. 14. 1885. 

Fri'd ]]'. J/orsr, s. of Winslow B.. m. Delia L., dau. 
of Daniel A. White of Clinton, Oct. 29, 1891 ; he is a 
graduate of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute ; 
professor of chemistry in the N. H. Agricultural 
College and state chemist in the experiment station. 

MOSSMAX. 

St/as Moss man of Sudbury m. Elizabeth Goodale of 
Marlboro. Had Abner, bap. 181 3; David, 18 16; 
George, 1 8 1 7. vSilas was brother to Mrs. Eli Sawyer ; 
the mother d. here Jan. 10, 1839. 



4 



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-^^ wtz^^Vt;^ 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 44 1 

NEWSOME. 

Robert Xczvsojiie, b. in Yorkshire, Eng., Sept. 26, 
1823, m. Ann Hall in 1846; by her had an infant, d. 
young, and William, b. Feb. 18, 1848, lives in New 
York. \Vife, Ann, d. in England in 1848; m., 2d, 
Mary A. Williams of Lunenburg; she d. in 1866 
m., 3d, Marv' J. Kinders June 21, 1869; by her had 
Lilla, B. b. May 29, 1871, m. Hugh E. MacPherson 
Ida B. Rice, protegee and niece of Mrs. Newsome, 
lives with them; res. in south part, near the corner 
of Northboro and Marlboro roads. House and 
barn burned July 24. 1895; rem. to the Daniel 
Cartwright place. 

NEWTON. 

Two families of this name lived here in the early 
times, both of which by marriage became connected 
with some of the more prominent families of the 
town. Cotton Xewton, the s. of Dea. Paul Newton. 
who lived just over the line in Northboro, will first 
be considered, and secondly, William Newton, the 
grandf. oi the late John F. Newton, will claim our 
attention. 

Cotton XitL'to//, h. Nov. 13. 1759, s. of Dea. Paul 
Newton, b. 17 18, was a s. of Josiah, b. 1688, and he 
a s. of Moses, b. 1646, whose father was Richard, b. 
in England in 1600, and settled in Sudbury, now 
^^larlboro, in 1640. On account of the connection of 
the family of Dea. Paul with Berlin families, we give 
space to his family record. His wife's name was 
Mary Farrar, and he lived on the place recently 
owned bv his grands.. Isaac Newton; was a tanner 



442 HISTORY OF THE 

by trade; had six children: William, b. Dec. 20, 
1746, d. May 29, 1758; Moses, b. Dec. 16, 1750, m., 
Jan. 30, 1785, Elizabeth Munroe; Paul, b. vSept. 13, 
1754, m., April 2, 1778, Keziah Maynard ; josiah, b. 
July 24, 1757. d. May 9, 1763; Cotton, b. Nov. 13, 
1759; ]\Iartyn, b. in Northboro May 2, 1767, m., 
Sept. 17, 1790, Eunice Johnson of Berlin. Dea. Paul 
d. May 18, 1797, at 78; wid., Marv, d. 181 2, at 80. 

Cotton Xci^'toir ni., Oct. 25, 1785, Abigail, dau. of 
William and Flannah (Barrett) Sawyer of this town ; 
the marriage ceremony was performed by Dr. Puffer 
at the parsonage; they both rode the same horse, 
she on a pillion behind him; such was the fashion 
in those days ; thev lived at first on the Josiah Wil- 
son place, then owned by James Goddard, where his 
first child, Sabra, was b. ; in 1786 he bought of Silas 
Bailey the place where Rufus R. Wheeler now lives ; 
his name appears on our records as one of the town 
officers in 1795: he sold to Simeon Bowman in 1798 
and rem. to Marlboro, Vt. ; he was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary war in Col. Cushing's regiment, and 
was present at the surrender of Oen. Burgoyne to 
Gen. Gates at Saratoga in 1777; he heard the im- 
petuous message which (jcn. Gates sent to the 
British commander: "If you don't surrender in 

fifteen minutes, I'll make your lines as hot as ." 

Cotton Newton had Sabra, aforenamed, b. here vSept. 
2, 1786, m. and settled in Brattleboro, Vt., d. July 
30, 18 19; William, b. Aug. 17, 1788, was famous as 
a school teacher and mathematician, and was repre- 
sentative to the Legislature of Vermont; he had a 
s., William Sawyer Newton, who is a merchant of 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 443 

Brattleboro, and has been postmaster and town clerk 
there many years. Cotton Newton d. April 8, 1847. 
at 87; wife d. Dec. 26, 1852, at 87. 

MILITARY SERVICE. 

Taken trom the rolls of Revolutionary war service : "Cotton 
Newton appears with rank of private on muster and pay roll of 
Capt. Edmund IJrigham's company, Col. Job Cushing's regi- 
ment ; enlisted Sept. 12, 1777; discharged Nov. 29, 1777 ; 
residence, Crafton ; served two mos. eighteen days, travel in- 
cluded." 

[jikc Ncivton, a native of Marlboro, N. H., lived 
for some years previous to his death in the house on 
the Hudson road, now owned by Mrs. Dyar ; he lived 
alone and d. alone wSept. 12, 1859. 

Hiiirv Nrwtoii, from Fitzwilliam, N. H., a shoe- 
maker, unm. ; while working for Maynard & Whit- 
ney d. Oct. 29, 1856, by suicide. 

Williaiii Nctuton m., Nov. 15, 1798, vSarah Hoar; 
both of Berlin. Had a family of nine children, namely : 
Dorinda, Sally, William, Dinah, Anselm, Alvin, 
David, vSusan, Amelia, and Benjamin F., who d. while 
preparing" for practice of law. Of the above-named, 
only Alvin and David appear to be connected by 
inarriage or residence with this town ; Alvin m. 
vSarah Whitcomb of Berlin Jan. 7, 1809, and David 
m. Beulah Johnson June 18, 1807; David and Beu- 
lah had as., John P., b. Feb. 6, 1809, m. Elizabeth 
Brigham, sister of Capt. Paul Brigham ; was several 
years town clerk here ; kept a store at West Berlin 
and finally rem. to Northboro, where he d. It is not 
known wdiat connection, if any, this family had with 
the other Newton familv. 



444 HISTORY OF THE 



NOURSE. 



Dr. Benjamin Nonrsc, from Bolton, m. Sibella, dau. 
of Benjamin Baile}^ of Berlin, Nov., 1777 ; she d. Feb. 
20, 1799, and he m., 2d, Kate, sister of vSibella; he 
practiced first in New Hampshire ; he settled here on 
the place recently occupied by E. C. Shattnck, but 
finally rem. to his father-in-law's place, where Marcus 
M. Goddard now lives, and there d. Feb. 24, 1804. 
Kate, his wid.. d. Oct. 14. 1S19. Had by his wife, 
Sibella, Sibella. who m. Nathan Eg-ery; Nabby, m. 
Amasa Holt; Theophilus, b. April 9, 1787; by his 
wife, Kate, had Theodore, b. Oct. 25, 1801. 

Theophilus Nourse m. Lois, dau. of Daniel Brigham, 
Mav 3, 181 5 ; the family rem. to Westboro. Had 
Benjamin Bailey, b. March 31, 18 16, m. in West- 
boro, has been a prominent man in that town, and 
has held many public trusts, has a s., an architect in 
AVorcester, who gratuitously furnished the plan of 
the Unitarian Church; Jane, m. Charles Rice of 

Westboro; Catherine, m. Stevens of West- 

"boro, now ^Marlboro; Lois Brigham, m. Henry W. 
Baldwin of Shrewsbury. Capt. Theophilus d. April 
24, 1824; his wid. was alive and in good health a few 
years ago at the age of 9 1 . 

Theodore Xonrse m. Rebecca, dau. of James God- 
dard, 2d, in 1822; they lived on the old Bailey place, 
Avhere Marcus M. now lives. Had Rufus, b. March 
9, 1823; James G., b. Jan. 24, 1828, d. April 3, 1834. 
Theodore d. June 21, 1866; she m., 2d, Calvin Smith, 
by whom she had Angenette, b. Nov. 11, 1843, d, 
Nov. 16, 1876; Rebecca d. in Hudson with her 
nephew, Stephen Smith. 




JOHN O. OSGOOD. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



OSGOOD. 



445 



John O. Osgood, s. of Daniel Osgood, b. in Bolton 
June 12, 1833, m. Harriet Jane, dau. of George W. 
Maynard, Aug. 4, 1852; lives in south part; house 
erected by himself ; a farmer. Had Sophia, b. March 
3, 1853, d. Dec. 24, 1853; George E., b. April 27, 
1855 ; Emma J., b. Jan. 6, 1858, d. May 4, 1868 ; John 
W., b. June 6, 1873, d. Aug. 23, 1873. 

Gi'ori^c li. Osgood, s. of John O., m. Ida May, dau. of 
Andrew J. Johnson, June 24, 1877; res., Hudson; 
shoemaker and poultry farmer. Had George R., b. 
April 17, 1878; Charles E., b. Feb. 20, 1880. 

r.\RMKXTER. 

App/itoti D. Pariiicnicr, s. of Isaac of Sudbury and 
a descendant of John Parmenter, one of the early 
settlers of vSudburv, came to Berlin with his family 
in 1875; he m. Julia Bancroft of Nelson, N. H., 
and lived awhile on the old Parmenter place in Sud- 
bury; his present res. is in New Worcester (so-called)^ 
and is by trade a painter and paper-hanger. Had 
Ella R., b. May i, 1852, m. Edward P. Holden ; 
Etta F., b. June 8, 1856, m. Charles D. Mills, res., 
Florida; Emma N., b. March 10, 1858, m. James W. 
McLaren, killed by Indiajis in 1877 in the Custer 
massacre; m., 2d, William Allen, he d. 1888; Isaac 
F., b. vSept. 14, i860; E. Jennie, b. April 6, 1862, 
m. John K. Mills, res., Northboro. 

Isaac F. Pariiicntcr, s. of Appleton D., m. Adelaide 
R. Cottle of Martha's Vineyard Sept. 28, 1887; lives 
in the house he built near New Worcester. 



446 HISTORY OF THE 

PARKS. 

James Russell J^arks, s. of James Parks of Holliston 
and grands, of Richard Parks of Watertown in 1636, 
m. Anna Leland in 1786; he bought the mills at the 
south part, together with the farm now owned by 
(jeorge W. Tyler in 1 790 ; he was one of the suc- 
cessors of William Goddard, the miller, who made 
the long dam and erected the first mill at the south 
part; the original house stood in the lot southeast of 
the present buildings; he was a prominent citizen 
and influential in town affairs. Had Joseph, b. Nov. 
II, 1787; Anna, b. Oct. 13, 1790, m. Edward John- 
son; Charlotta, b. 1794, d. 1796; Pamelia, b. Oct. 3, 
1797, m. John Powers. He d. Julv 13, 1813, at 53 ; 
wid. d. 1828. 

Co/. Jose I'll l\vks\ James R.', m. Anna Meriam 
Nov. 29, 1807; wife, Anna, d. 1825; he m., 2d, Mrs. 
Eliza (Blood) Cole of Bolton; she d. 1842; he d. in 
Holliston in 1 881, at 94; he was the successor of his 
father in the mill and farm property and continued 
in possession until he sold the mills and farm to Samuel 
Williams, about 1844. when he rem. to Holliston; he 
was a highly esteemed citizen of the town and his de- 
parture was much deplored. Had by Anna, Beulah 
Leland, b. Feb. 8, 1808, d. June 21, 1834; Russell, 
b. Aug. 21, 18 TO; Melissa,»b. Tune 18, 18 12, d. Nov. 
28, 185 I ; Lawson, b. Sept. 2, 181 5, d. 1821. 

Russell /\vks\ lames'"', James R.', m. Ann Green 
April 16, 1834; he built the house where Elisha M. 
Whitnev lately lived; worked with his father in the 
mills and on the farm ; rem. with his father to Hol- 
liston, but lived a part of the time afterwards in 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 447 

Worcester. Had by wife, Ann, one child, Beulah 
Ann, b. March 3, 1835. Wife, Ann, d. 1839; he m., 
2d, Harriet Newell Fay, dau. of Dea. Dexter Fay, 
April 2, 1840, and by her had: Harriet Josephine, b. 
Aug. 3, 1843; Joseph Russell, b. 1847. Wife, Har- 
riet, d. May 21, 1848; m., 3d, a Mrs. Bemis April 4, 
1849. 

PALM-:. 

Tyler I\iim\ s. of Tyler Paine of vSmithfield, R. I., 
m. Mary Ann, dau. of Asa Wheeler of Bolton, May 
7, 1848; he lived on the farm where Robert New- 
some now res., for several years; he finally bought of 
vSamuel Williams the place where Philo Bruce now 
lives, where he continued until after the death of 
his wife, which occurred suddenlv Oct. 20, 1862; he 
enlisted in 1864 in the 3d Regt. of Cavalry, Mass. 
Vols., and d. in New Orleans June 15, 1864, age 40. 
Had Asa W., b. May 28, 1849; Lewis W., b. Nov. 
17, 1850; Abbie Alice, b. Dec. 7, 1851, m. Clifford 
Walcott, res., Hudson; Ruth, b. Sept. 6, 1854, m. 
Henry A. vStonc, d. March 4. 1883. 

TAKKKK. 

Dca.JoJui Parker, b. in Framingham June 16, 1798, 
m. Mary iVnn Fales of Shrewsbury Sept. 3, 1823; he 
was s. of John, the sixth in descent from Thomas 
Parker, who was one of the first settlers of Reading 
in 1638 ; he was the father of Charles F. and John 
H. Parker, the shoe manufacturers here, as also the 
father of Mrs. Milton Day and Mrs. Sarah L. (Parker) 
Sawyer, the noted singer; he lived while here in the 
Dr. Hartshorn homestead, then owned by his dau., 
Mrs. Sawver ; he is well remembered here as a man 



448 HISTORY OF THE 

of sterling integrity and high moral worth. His 
wife d. here July 16, 1885 ; he d. in Marlboro. 

PETERS. 

Dca. Luther Peters, s. of George Peters of Felton- 
ville, now Hudson, b. April 20, 1806, m. Abigail 
Holman of Bolton May 31, 1832; she d. June 4, 
1839; m., 2d, Maria Gould April 12, 1848, she d. 
Nov. 12, 1855 ; m., 3d, Lydia (Howe) Leland Sept. i, 
1857, she d. June 2, 1882; his father was a black- 
smith in Hudson previous to 1 800, and I^ither con- 
tinued the business at the old stand for many years 
until he exchanged his estate in Hudson for a farm in 
Sterling; after the death of his second wife, he came to 
Berlin and built the splendid house in which he now 
resides; is now living with his s., John G., and is at 
the date of this writing (Jan. i, 1895) the oldest man 
in town. Had by Abigail, Luther H., b. May 30, 
1833, res., Boston: Irene F., b. Feb. 16, 1838, m. 
Edwin Babcock; Onslow B., b. May 21, 1839; War- 
ren S., b. Oct. 7, 1845, res., Maynard. Had by 
Maria, John G., b. May 8, 1850; Edwin R., b. March 
30, 1853, d. May 3, 1855. Dea. Peters d. Feb. 27, 1895. 

John G. Peters, s. of Luther, unm. ; occupies the 
homestead with his father on the site of the old 
Solomon Howe store; was the successor of Amos 
Sawyer in the express business from Berlin, Hudson 
and Maynard to Boston. 

PIERCE. 

Rev. Granville Pierce, from Townsend, was the 
second pastor of the Unitarian Church; m., 2d, 
Georgiana H. Damon Dec. 24, 1881. 




MRS. W. A. HOUGHTON. 



MRS. L. PETERS. 



Marv (;iacu ( 1 Inw t) 1 Inunliloii, daughter of Solomon ;iiid Sarah Howe, born liuri- 
iti i'<i5, niarriud Rev. W. A. Houuliton, tlien pastorof Nortliboro Congregational Cluircli, 
in 1S44. The older citizens of that town remember her faithful services, as she devoted 
lur rare talents in every wav to aid in all that ministered 10 her husband's success in the 
ministry. Riturnini; after ten years to her native town, she entered with the same 
lidehty in the work nl his iwenty five years' jxislorale here, till prostrated by paralysis. 
She lived in comparative retirement and died in iSSj. Mrs. Houghton ])urchased 
tlu- Dr. Purter estate, and she built the bain and remodeled the licuise (since burne<l), 
\\ hich were ornaments to the town. 

I.ydia (Howe) Peters, daughter ol Solomon and Sarah Howe, and wife of Deacon 
I.uther Peters, born and passing most of her life in Berlin, died here in 1SS2, leaving a 
pleasant memory of Christian kindness and beneficence. After the death of her brother, 
W. A. Howe, she purchased his estate, to carry out his intentions, and planned and 
erected, as •' a memorial to her brother." the spacious buildings now owned byW. H. 
Hartshorn. She becpieathed to the town the clock which now strikes the hours so con- 
veniently and agreeably for a grateful people. She also gave five hundred dollars to the 
C'cingregational Church, of which she was many years a devoted member. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 449 

POLLARD. 



John Pollard,h. 1729, s.' of William Pollard and Ex- 
perience (Wheeler) Pollard of Bolton and grands, of 
Thomas of Billerica, settled in the west part of 
Berlin, the homestead just back of George Felton's; 
later on the Merrick Rand homestead; he was an 
early owner of the Barber mills and land adjoining; 
he built the Barber house, which formerly stood 
nearly opposite the res. of Levi Babcock ; he bought 
of John Butler in 1 756 151 acres, with mill place and 
mill. Thomas, a bro. of John, settled on the present 
Moran estate. John m. Elizabeth WilUams of Gro- 
ton ; they had John, William, Walter, Betsey, Abner, 
Amos, Moses, Aaron, Gardner, Mary, Susan ; of these 
Moses m., July 22, 1793, Mary, dau. of Elisha Crosby 
of Shrewsbury, near Westboro line ; she was cousin 
to Mrs. Stephen Bailey; Moses was lost at sea in his 
own ship, returning from a personal visit to the Holy 
Land ; their dau. m. Stephen Winship of Boston, 
who res. here with his family awhile, as will be 
recollected by the older inhabitants ; Aaron rebuilt 
the Barber mills in 1822; Gardner was among the 
early comb makers of Lancaster ; he lived on "The 
Acre," the present res. of George Colburn; his father 
d. there in 1 8 1 5 ; his father was at the siege of Fort 
William Henry in 1755 ; his bro. William was also a 
soldier in those tedious wars with the French and 
their Indian allies ; William, s. of John, lived on the 
Merrick Rand estate, and Walter also, and d. there 
unm. ; Amos m. Phebe Phelps in 1 790 ; Abner m. 
Achsah Phelps in 1789; John Pollard, Jr., m. Polly 
Ball, was a trader in the present Bullard house; 



30 



450 HISTORY OF THE 

Betsey m. Amos Johnson. In 1791 John and 
Elizabeth deeded to s., William, "forty-one acres, on 
"which I formerly lived;" the mills were sold before; 
in 1797 deeded to s., Gardner, the homestead where 
he was then living-, 120 acres; here he d. ; also his s., 
William, after the death of his wife in Berlin. The 
Gardner Pollard family made favorable impression 
on society — a large family of worthy daughters and 
two sons. Levi settled in Leominster and Seth went 
to Chili, S. A. On the earlier records of Lancaster 
the Pollards are hardly named. Incidentally, John 
and Oliver, sons of Edward, appear as soldiers in an 
expedition organized against the marauding Indians 
in 1724, towards the Kennebec, now Wakefield, N. 
H. Lancaster annals give the names of sixty-two at 
the killing of "them ten Indians;" John and Oliver 
were in the list. Asa, s. of John of Billerica, was the 
first killed at Bunker Hill ; his bro., Thaddeus, was 
father of Amory Pollard of Pollard's mills, built by 
Thomas Sawyer and deeded to Amory for his 
fidelity. This was probably Thomas Sawyer, 3d, b. 
1790; probably John Pollard, Sr., bought of John 
Butler of Billerica, s. of James, 3d, of Bolton, the 
southwest section of Third Division hill. 

Thomas Pollard, s. of William and Experience 
(Wheeler) Pollard and bro. to John of West Berlin, 
b. Aug. I, 1744, m. Deborah Wood of Bolton Dec. 
16, 1773 ; he settled on the farm now owned by John 
F. Moran ; the old buildings were rem. some years 
ago and new ones now replace them. He had three 
sons: Calvin, b. Sept. 13, 1774, d. young; Stephen, b. 
July 29, 1776; Luther, b. Dec. 18, 1782. Tradition 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 45 I 

holds that Thomas built the Barnes mill for his s., 
Stephen. He d. Oct. 7, 1827, at 84; she d. Oct. 13, 
1837, at 87. 

Stephen Pollard', Thomas", William', m. Betsey 
Hastings of Boylston, sister to Ephraim ; he occupied 
the homestead of his father. Had Sarah, b. March 
29, 181 4, m. Erastus Wheeler of Worcester ; Abigail, 
b. June 10, 1818, d. unm. ; Ezra, b. Nov. 21, 1823, 
d. Nov. 5, 1850. He d. May 23, 1853; she d. July 
25, 1851. 

Luther Pollanf, Thomas', William', m. Matilda, 
dau. of Timothy Bruce, Jr., Nov. 6, 1806 ; his father 
settled him on the farm now owned by Francis Bab- 
cock. Had Calvin, b. Dec. 8, 1808, res., Philadelphia; 
Rebeqca, b. Oct. 28, 18 10; Joseph, b. Jan. 2, 18 14, d. 
1822, by falling as he ran upon a corn cutter; Abel, 
b. April 6, 18 16, m. Mary A. Knight, res. in Bolton; 

Almira, b. Jan. i, 18 18, m. Kilbourne of 

Bolton; Thomas, b. Sept. 25, 1820; Amory, b. May 
4, 1822; Luther, b. Aug. 7, 1824, d. in infancy. He 
d. ; she d. . 

Thomas PollanV , s. of Luther', m. Persis. dau. of 
Luther Carter, Oct. 3, 1841 ; he is by trade a carpenter 
and mason, and has been a merchant, res., Hudson. 
Had Joseph Marshall, b. 1843, d. Oct. 8, 1851; Her- 
bert Asa, b. June, 1848. 

Amory Pol lard\ s. of Luther', m. Sarah F., dau. of 
Capt. John D. Merrill; she m., 2d, Jonathan Ridley; 
he is a carpenter and built a number of houses in 
Carterville ; is now blind, and consequently unable to 
work. Had Oscar A., b. Jan. 13, 1852; Clarence, b. 
July 18, 1855. 



452 



HISTORY OF THE 



Aaron Pollard, s. of John, Sr., b. July 14, 1772, m. 
Anna Taylor of Harvard Nov. 28, 1798, res., Boston. 

Had Anna W., b. Feb. 16, 1799, m. Rand, 

(see Rand family); Clarissa W., b. July 23, 1801 ; 

Eliza T., b. Feb. 23, i8o2,m. Raymond; Mary 

W., b. July 4, 1804; Merrick R., b. March 11, 1807; 
Sarah A., b. May 3, 1809; David T., b. June 19, 
181 3; Aaron, b. June 10, 18 16; Maria S.. b. Feb. 3, 

1 8 19; Martha J. L., b. May 21, 1821, m. 

Fenno; Emeline R., b. April 19, 1825, m. 

Parkman. Aaron, Sr., d. in Lancaster Jan. 20, 1853, 
at 80; wife d. April 2, 1888, at 89. 

William Pollard, s. of John, m. ; had no 

child; d. at his bro., Gardner's, in 1830. 

POWERS. 

Capt. Ilcnry Poivcrs, probably a s. of Robert Powers 
of Harvard, m. Hannah Moore of Boylston Jan, 2, 
1774; he settled on the farm now owned by C. B. 
Rathbun; was a prominent man in town affairs; 
was Berlin's first representative to the General 
Court; served 1812-13-14-15. Tradition has it that 
Capt. Powers was the veritable man whom the fox 
deceived by feigning- death. Reynard had squeezed 
into the sheep fold, gorged himself on lamb and 
could not get out; so he was found by the captain 
all laid out. The captain tossed him over the fence, 
but he came down all right side up, and, was off in a 
jiffy. He appears to have been a good family dis- 
ciplinarian and a strict observer of the ordinances of 
the church. His fifteen children were promptly 
baptized in due season. Hannah,, his wife, d. 1812; 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 453 

he m., 2d, Mrs. Eunice, wid. of Capt. vSamuel vSpof- 
ford, in 1 8 14; he and his wife, Eunice, d. in 1825. 
Had by Hannah, his wife, Anna, m. Silas Jones ; 
Hannah, m. Cornelius Moore of Bolton ; Edward ; 

Robert ; Henry ; Polly, d. young ; Polly, m. 

Roberts of Kingston; Moors; Rebecca, d. young; 
Betsey, d. young ; Prudy ; Betsey, b. May 22, 1796, 
m. Joel Dakin; Abijah, b. Nov. 24, '1798; John, b. 
Oct. 31, 1800; Rebecca, b. Sept. 10, 1808, m. Amos 
Proctor. 

Henry Poivcrs, s. of Capt. Henry, m. Elizabeth, 
dau. of' David Southwick, Nov. 10, 18 10; he settled 
near the old homestead, on what is now called the 
Dakin place ; although brought up a strict Congre- 
gationalist, he joined the Quakers, to which society 
his wife belonged. Had Hannah, b. Sept. 5, 181 1, 
d. unm. May 22, 1846; Henry, b. Nov. 28, 181 3, was 
fatally wounded by an assault with a knife in the 
hands of one Brooks, at Grafton, justat his majority; 
Tamzen, b. March 13, 1820, d. Feb. 26, 1845 ; Eliza- 
beth, b. May 23, 1826, d. May 4, 1846, age 20; Mary, 
b. Feb. 9, 1828, m. Asahel Dakin of Sudbury, where 
she still res. 

Dca. lohn Powers, s. of Capt. Henry, m. Pamelia, 
dau. 0/ James R. Parks, April 10, 1825 ; he retained 
the homestead of his father; he, like his brother, for- 
sook the way of his father and veritably became a 
John the Baptist; he rem. to Bolton ; his family were 
all reared in Berlin. He d. in Bolton June 20, 1875 ; 
she d. Aug. 31, 1871. Had Pamelia A., b. Aug. 23, 
1826, m. Joel Proctor, she d. July 27, 1890; Edward 
L., b. Jan. 3, 1828, d. April 28, 1834; Andrew Apple- 



454 HISTORY OF THE 

ton, b. Dec. 21, 1829; Aaron R., b. Sept. 23, 1831, 

m. ; Henry R., b. Aug. 28, 1835, d. Oct. 31, 

i860; Joseph L.,b. April 25, 1841, d. Dec. i, 1841. 

PRATT, 

There are known to have been ten persons of the 
name of Pratt who settled in New England between 
1621 and 1650. They were doubtless of the same 
family. 

From what places in England they came, or who 
were their immediate ancestors, or in what ship each 
arrived, is uncertain. 

The name of Pratt from a very remote period has 
been common in England, especially in the more 
southern counties. 

The family is of Norman descent, and had many 
distinguished representatives even before the Con- 
quest. 

"The family has embraced many noteworthy 
members, both in church and state. For example, 
Charles Pratt, the son of Sir John Pratt, chief justice 
of the Court of King's Bench under George First, 
who was born in 171 3, educated at Cambridge, 
admitted barrister, distinguished for his professional 
knowledge and eloquence, and appointed lord high 
chancellor of Great Britain. He sympathized with 
the American colonies, and thus incurred the royal 
displeasure and was obliged to resign his high office 
— his conscience and not his king supreme, — but was 
subsequently restored to honor and office." 

"The love of liberty and loyalty to truth have been 
strong traits in the family from its earliest history." 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 455 

The pages of the book from which these extracts 
have been taken ("A Genealogical Record of Mathew 
Pratt of Weymouth," by Rev. Francis G. Pratt, Jr.) 
show that "there have not been lacking many in this 
country who from the very beginning of its history 
have honored their descent, and who have been 
honored for their uninterrupted integrity, their un- 
usual success in business, their marked intelligence, 
their patriotism, and their noble Christian pur- 
pose." 

About the beginning of August, 1623, a permanent 
settlement was made by the Georges Company at 
Weymouth, the next after Plymouth in the Mas- 
sachusetts Bay territory. Here the records seem to 
establish Mathew Pratt among the firs£ settlers, for 
he is found among the list of land owners in about 
1643, and recognized as "an old resident." 

The stock would seem to be very prolific, for his 
descendants are numerous, and scattered throughout 
the United States. Ninth in the direct male line of 
descent from Mathew Pratt stands the subject of 
this sketch, Rev. George Franklin Pratt. 

His grandfather was Spencer Pratt, M. D., who 
practiced medicine in Franklin, Mass. 

His father was Hon. Spencer A. Pratt, a graduate 
of Brown University, a lawyer, and for many years 
judge of the Municipal Court of Bangor, Me. 

His mother was Mary R. Gilmore. George Frank- 
lin Pratt was born in Bangor, Me., April 5, 1852. 

He was fitted for college in the high school, and 
graduated from Bowdoin College in the class of 
1876. 

At intervals of his college studies, he taught a dis- 



456 HISTORY OF THE 

trict school in Bath, Me., and the free high school, 
Orrington, Me. In the fall of 1876 he assumed the 
principalship of the free high school in Brewer, Me., 
where he remained two years. He then entered the 
General Theological Seminary of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church in New York city, graduating in 
1 88 1. 

At the seminary he was awarded the Seymour 
prize (a gold watch) for excellence in extemporaneous 
preaching. From 1881 to 1884 he was rector of the 
Episcopal Church at Bath, Me. 

From 1884 to 1888 he was rector of the Episcopal 
Church in Clinton, Mass. 

In 1888 he experienced a change in his theological 
views and became a Unitarian. In 1889 he was 
invited to become pastor of the First Unitarian 
Society of Berlin, Mass., and began to preach there. 
Jan. 22, 1890, he was installed. Rev. E. E. Hale, D. 
D., preaching the installation sermon. Mr. Pratt 
has been chairman of the School Committee of the 
city of Bath, Me. ; secretary of the School Commitee, 
Berlin, Mass., and also scribe of the Worcester 
Association of Unitarian Ministers. 

He is a member of a number of secret societies, 
including the Berlin Grange. 

Mr. Pratt married Miss Fannie Dearth Harlow of 
Brewer, Me., July 27, 1881. She died of consump- 
tion in Brewer July 11, 1884. Their son, Philip 
F., died of diphtheria Aug. 11, 1883, aged one 
year. 

Feb. 18, 1886, he married Miss Fannie Morse 
Greene of Clinton, Mass. They have three children : 
Charlotte Elizabeth, born in Clinton, Jan. 2, 1887; 




Joe Pkiest and the Wil..ju. 




I-lTIItH I'kIEST AM) TIIK Sow. 



TOWTM OF BERLIN. 457 

Fannie Antoinette, born in Clinton Jan. ii, 1889; 
Mary Gilmore, born in Berlin May 21, 1892. 

The first settler on the farm now owned by F. 
Sherman Wheeler was AVillson Pratt, the father of 
Josiah and Abijah Pratt; the latter was in possession 
of the premises from 1755 to 1786, when he sold to 
Jonathan Wheeler, Jr., and rem. to Boylston. Had 
sons, Stephen and Abijah, Jr.; dau., Mary, m. Amos 
Allen, and a dau. m. Jonathan Gieen. 

PRIEST. 

Joseph Priest, s. of John Priest of Woburn and later 
a settler on Bare hill, Lancaster, was b. 1693, m. 

Hannah , b. 1684; both buried in our old 

cemetery ; the latter the earliest born of any there 
buried, it is probable that she was disinterred from 
some other cemetery; she d. Aug, 6, 1772, and he d. 
Nov. 30, 1 78 1, both arriving at the age of 88; he 
settled in the southwesterly part of the town, and 
the place has since been owned by Enoch Whitcomb, 
Solomon Bowker, Adam Bartlett, Timothy Bailey, 
and Rufus R. Wheeler, the present owner; the house 
was burned a few years ago ; he was a blacksmith, 
and one of the first settlers in town about 1733. 
Had Gabriel, b. Jan. 17, 1720; Joseph, b. 1732; 
Hannah, b. June 22, 1735, m. Enoch Whitcomb. 
He was in the expedition against Crown Point in 
1757 under Col. Whitcomb of Bolton; record incom- 
plete. 

Gabriel Priest, probably a s. of Joseph, Sr., had two 
sons: Holman, b. Oct. 3, 1745, and Luther, b. Sept. 
27, 1772, both of whom settled in Berlin; no other 



458 HISTORY OF THE 

record of Gabriel here ; not sure as to dates and con- 
nection. 

Joseph Priest\Jr., Joseph', bought the east part of his 
father's farm, consisting of sixty-three acres, in 1773 ; 
in conferring the title the father limits the confirma- 
tion "to the heirs of his body," so we suppose there 
was a reversion, as Joseph, Jr., d. unm., but he sold 
ten acres to vSimeon Bowman the year the father d. ; 
the farm on which this Joseph lived is still known as 
the Priest place, and is now owned by Martin Flagg; 
the buildings disappeared years ago. 

Among the names that blest the town 
Stands Joseph Priest's, of fair renown; 
The gift he gave, what good it's done 
To you and me and every one. 
In Berlin schools who've had a share 
In the learning gained here and there. 

This first of gifts, by no means least. 
The town received from Joseph Priest; 
Peculiar gifts in him adhered. 
Peculiar speech and garb appeared; 
He joked the parson with all grace, 
And dared the widow face to face. 

He was noticeably expressive in sayings. Dr; 
Puffer once used a then common expression in 
prayer: "Thou hast found out a way of salvation." 
Uncle Joe (as he was called) met the parson and said 
to him : "Well done, Puffer! Well done ! Found 
out! Found out! The Almighty has found out 
something, has He?" Ephraim Babcock on our Mc- 
Pherson place was for an open road to his house. 
Uncle Joe made him a call one day on foot. "Well, 
Ephraim," he said, "I am glad Mr. Puffer prays for 
you ever}^ Sunday." "How is that?" says Mr. Bab- 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 459 

cock. "Why, he prays that the uttermost parts of 
the earth may have the gospel sent to them." I heard 
Luther Priest say of him: "Uncle Joe was almost 
blind before he died, but he could see a pistareen 
edgewise further than I could hear it thunder." (A 
pistareen was a very thin shilling piece, then in com- 
mon use.) Many a man is called "stingy" who yet 
has the public good in view in his savings. As a 
result of his economy, we have the Priest fund of 
$500, the income of which has yearly been appro- 
priated for schooling. This fund has yielded an 
average income of $30 annually for about seventy-five 
years, hence the town has received during the time 
about $2,200, but the fund, if invested at six per 
cent, compound interest, would have been at this 
date about $32,000, and this accumulation all within 
the lifetime of persons now living. 

It is related of Uncle Joe that when his father 
would have married a second wife at 80, he went to 
dissuade the widow in ^larlboro. Persuasion naught 
availing, he said to her: "My name is Joe Priest; 
I live between two hills in Bolton, and if I ever see 
you there, I'll kill you." Whatever her affections for 
his father might be, she thought she would not 
adopt such a son-in-law. Uncle Joe always wore the 
Continental costume — a cocked hat, knee and shoe 
buckles. He d. in 181 7. His will was probated 
Sept., 1817, vSolomon How, exr. The town of Berlin 
was made residuary legatee, as appears from the 
following extract from his will : 

"All the remainder and residue of my estate I give and 
bequeath to the town of Berlin, to be kept on good security, 
at interest annually, and said interest applied solely for literary 



460 HISTORY OF THE 

purposes." Amount received from executor, $505.31 ; the 
fund stands now on the books, $520. 

Hobiian Priest, s. of Gabriel, m. Prudence Sawyer of 
tbe Sawyer mills family; he settled. on the farm now 
owned b}^ Joseph. John Randall and formerly by Reu- 
ben A.Wheeler. HadSilas, b. Aug. 6, 1774; Prudence, 
b. Oct. 10, 1785, m. John Bruce, Jr., rem. to West 
Boylston 1 8 1 3 ; Mrs. George Houghton, my corre- 
spondent at West Boylston, is his dau. He d. Jan. 
22, 183 I ; wid. d. April 7, 1854. 

Liithcr Priest, s. of Gabriel, m. Asenath Bruce Aug. 
12, 1 795 ; he lived on the west side of the Northboro 
road, where Addison Keyes now res. ; he was a 
carpenter by trade ; Luther loved a joke, though at 
his own expense. He need not have told that coming 
from Bolton in the evening with his carpenter's tools, 
broad-axe and all in hand, a mother sow by the 
roadside took after him ; Luther ran; the sow ran; 
both ran the same way, but the sow ran the faster; 
one by one Luther dropped his tools to aid his speed. 
In dire necessity he leaped the wall, on which just 
behind him his pursuer rested her forefeet with a 
vicious grunt. With a shake of his fist and an 
affirmation not to be repeated, the carpenter respond- 
ed : "If I had my broad-axe here, I would make two 
sows of you." Had Sally, b. Dec. 24, 1795, d. Oct. 
8, 1 8 1 5, admitted to the church at her home the same 
day; Roxana, d. young; Granville, m., res., Wal- 
tham; Clarendon, d. in infancy; Minerva, m. Dr. 
John Austin of Vermont; Almira, m.. May 24, 1829, 
William Sawyer, res., Ohio ; had also Lydia, Charles 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 46 1 

and Sarah. Luther d. by fall on the ice Jan. 12, 
1829; his wid. d. 1853; record incomplete. 

AbraJiani Priest is named on some of our early 
records ; what connection with the other Priests does 
not appear; he moved to Marlboro, N. H. It is 
related that he was a famous story teller, and this 
among others, that he had been in some place where 
junks of wood and iron thrown into a machine would 
come out of it ready-made carpenter's hammers. 
That was Priestly at least. 

Silas Pries f-, Holman', m. Persis, dau. of Fortuna- 
tus Barnes, May 27, 1802; he retained the homestead 
of his father. Had Rufus, b. 1803, m. Lydia Brig- 
ham, rem. to Sterling, where they d. (also Rufus' 
s., Lewis, b. 1831, d. 1865); Ira, b. Sept. 21, 1806, d. 
Oct. 10, 1807, and the father, Silas, d. at the same 
date; Persis, wid., m. Pelatiah Jones. 

PROCTOR. 

J(h/ Proctor, from Vermont, m. Pamelia A., dau. 
of Dea. John Powers; she d. July 27, 1890; he settled 
on the place now owned by John Collins ; rem. to 
Bolton. 



PRY. 

John A. Pry, b. Jan. 9, 1838, m. Anne Gens, b. Oct. 
17, 1-845; came from Clinton in 1889 and settled on 
the Merrick Sargent place, near Bolton depot. Had 
Anne Dora Louisa, b. Nov. 9, 1864, m. John Hoff- 
man ; Mary L., b. Sept. 17, 1868, m. August Lehman; 



462 HISTORY OF THE 

Amelia G., b. Aug. 15, 1870, m, Henry Kable; John 
A., b. Sept. 17, 1872; Henry G., b. July 28, 1877, d. 
1882. 

PUFFER. 

Rev. Reuben Puffer, D. D., from Sudbury, was a 
descendant of George Puffer, who settled in Quincy 
about 1640; this George had two sons, Mathias and 
James; the former of these was the ancestor of 
Charles Sumner and also Edward Everett ; James 
settled in Braintree and had a s., Jabez, who moved 
to Sudbury in 1712; this Jabez had a s., Jabez, b. 
1705, who was the father of the noted divine of 
Berlin, hence the lineage runs Reuben", Jabez*, 
Jabez', James", George'. Rev. Dr. Puffer was the 
first minister of the town, ordained Nov. 26, 1781; 
he m. Hannah Perry, by whom he had : wSophia, b. 
July I, 1780, m. Edward Baker Ball of Northboro; 
Lucy, b. May 7, 1782, m. Nathaniel Goodnow of 
West Boylston; Stephen, b. Feb. 17, 1784, m. Sally 
Fosgate and rem. to Amherst; Hannah, b. Oct. 31, 
1785, m. Reuben Hastings; Charlotte, b. Sept. 16, 
1787, m. John Flavel Fay of Northboro; Henry, b. 
Feb. 15, 1790; Reuben, b. Aug. 3, 1792, d. Sept. 10, 
1792; Palmyra (Almira), b. Sept 21, 1793, m. 
Ephraim Hastings, she d. July 10, 1879; Charles, b. 
Dec. 25, 1795; Oliver, b. Sept. 8, 1797, d. Jan. 20, 
1799; Oliver, b. June 5, 1799, m. Phebe Thayer of 
Richmond, N. H., where he settled about 1830 as a 
wool carder and cloth dresser, he was here at the 
dedication of our new Town Hall, d. in New Salem ; 
Sarah, b. March 27, 1801, d. Jan. 9, 1822; Mary, b. 







.Mk. AM) .Mks. Mehkick K. Hand. 
Naiiian Ku k. Cai't. Setii Rice. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 463 

May 18, 1803, m. Cyrus Abbot of Barre, m., 2d 

Stone of Wrentham. Wife, Hannah, d. Jan. 

5, 18 12, at 51 ; he m., 2d, 18 14, Phebe Morse Stowe, 
wid. of William Stowe of Marlboro, by whom he had 
Phebe M., b. June 14, 1815, d. Oct. 8, 1833 ; Mrs. 
Stowe had by former husband, Truman, Freeman, 
William, and Eugenia, who m. Rev. Lyman Gilbert 
of West Newton Sept. 28, 1828. Rev. Reuben Puf- 
fer d. April 9, 1829, at 73 yrs. ; wid., Phebe, d. 
Jan. 12, 1856, ag-ed 84. 

RAND. 

The families of this name in town are descendants 
of one Robert Rand and Alice Sharp, his wife, who 
came from England and settled in Charlestown in 
1635. 

Isaac Rand, of the seventh generation from Robert 
and s. of Benjamin, was b. March 6, 1787, m., Oct. 
4, 1 8 14, Anna Whitman Pollard, b. Feb. 16, 1799, 
dau. of Aaron Pollard and Anna Taylor; he lived in 
Roxbury and had four sons: Isaac P., b. Nov. 7, 
1816; Luther, b. Dec. 23, 1820, d. Aug. 21, 1828; 
Francis A., b. July 30, 1823 ; Merrick Rice. b. July 4, 
1827 ; Francis A. and Merrick R. have been res. of 
Berlin. 

Merrick R. Rand, s. of Isaac Rand of Roxbury, m., 
Oct. 19, 1853, Sarah E., b. Dec. 14, 1834, dau. of 
James Harper, res., West Berlin, on the old John 
Pollard place. Had Merrick F., b. July 23, 1854; 
Carrie E., b. Jan. 4, 1856, m. Charles Danforth; Ida 
A., b. May 8, 1858, m. Albert H. Sibley; Delia S., b. 



464 HISTORY OF THE 

Sept. 24, i860, m. Frederick Cogsill; Gaza F., b. 
April 14, 1864; Grace W., b. June 16, 1868. 

Rev. Francis A. Rand, bro. of Merrick R., m., Nov. 
15, 1859, Rachel R., dau. of John C. and Susan Robb, 
of Farmin^ton, Pa., b. Sept. 10, 1837; graduated at 
Williams College in 1 847 ; studied for the ministry 
and ordained a Presbyterian minister and preached 
for some years at various places in Pennsvlvania; he 
came to Berlin in 1 867 ; settled in the west part on 
the place recently owned by Henry O. Felton. Had 
Anna L., b. July 17, 1863; Emma B., b. Dec. 28, 
1864; Francis L., b. July 5, 1866; John C, b. April 
28, 1868. Wife d. May 22, 1871 ; he d. June 27, 
1889. Anne W. (Pollard) Rand, wife of Isaac and 
the mother of Merrick R. and Francis A., d. here 
with Francis A. April 2, 1888, at 89 yrs. 

RANDALL. 

Reuben Randall, s. of Reuben of Richmond, N. H., 
and bro. of Joseph of Bolton, m. Sarah Earle of 
Leicester; lived on the Isaac Moore farm in 1830-40; 
Ijuilt the house where Edward L. Wheeler lives ; 
rem. to Worcester ; d. there. 

Panl A. Randall, b. July. 8, 1830, s. of Joseph of 
Bolton, m. Abbie W. Kimmins, dau. of John of 
Bolton, June 3, i860; his farm is in the north part 
of the town, the place formerly owned by David 
Southwick and later by Oliver and Nancy Young ; 
has recently built a new house on the premises. Had 
Joseph John, b. April 13, 1861; Reuben H., b. 
May 9, 1863, d. Feb. 13, 1866; Lucy J., b. Oct. 13, 




REV. FRANCIS A. RAND. 




HENRY W. HASTINGS. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 465 

1868, m. Charles E. Small; Alice P., b. vSept. 27, 
1870, m. Lewis E. Day; Flora S., b, Aug. 27, 1880. 

Joseph John Randall, s. of Paul A., m. Anna Grant 
of Clinton wSept. 5, 1882; he lives on the south side 
of Sawyer hill, the place once owned by Holman 
Priest and later by Reuben A. Wheeler. Had Ethel 
E., b. April 16, 1883 ; Charles P., b. March 29, 1884; 
Carl H., b. Nov. 6, 1886; Chester R., b., Nov. 10, 
1887: Clifton A., b. Nov. 14, 1889; Joseph John, b. 
April 29, 1893, d. INIarch 8, 1894. 

RATIIRUN. 

Solomon H. Rathhun, b. Oct. 19, 1805, came from 
Richmond, R. I.; m., Oct. 17, 1835, Hannah M. 
Boyden of Leominster; he attended Thomas Fry's 
school. Lived in Bolton several years after marriage ; 
bought the Sanderson Carter place in 1846; sold that 
and bought the John Powers place in 1865. Had 
Charles B., b. July i. 1836; George C, b. Dec. 24, 
1837 ; Mary E., b. March 22, 1839, ^- Nathan Gee of 
Fitchburg, she d. in 1892; Thomas F., b. Feb. 17, 
1 84 1, was the first soldier from Berlin to enlist in 
1 86 1, d. at Winchester, Va., March 14, 1862; James 
F., b. Dec. 12, 1842; the three youngest children d. 
in infancy, viz. : two John Henrys and one Francis E. 
Wife d. May 6. 1850; he m., 2d, Mary Holden May 
26, 1852; she d. 1868; he d. March 23, 1871. 

Charles B. RatJibun, s. of Solomon H., m. Marion 
S., dau. of Abraham Brigham, July i, i860; settled 
on the old Powers homestead on Baker hill. Had 
Alice M., b. Oct. 3, 1867, graduated at the Northboro 
high school, taught school five years, m., Oct. 3, 



466 HISTORY OK THE 

icS93, Dr. Frank L. Harvey, M. D., of Leominster, 
settled in Clinton. 

George C. Rathbuu, s. of vSolomon H., went to Rhode 
Island; m. there; returned here and m., 2d. April 12, 
1876, Mrs. Emma (Miller) Hunting, sister to wife of 
Francis Babcock; she had by her first husband, 
Arthur. She d. March 4, 1882; he m., 3d, Jennie 
Baker, and res. in Canterbury, Conn. 

James F. I\athlm)i, s. of Solomon H., m. Dolly 
Harris Dec. 12, 1869; rem. to Cochituate; d. Sept. 9, 
1874. Had Lillian, b. 1873, d. 1875; Lucy d. in in- 
fancy. Wid. d. in Boston in 1877, at 27 yrs. 

RICE. 

David Riee, s. of Abraham of Framingham, was one 
of the first settlers near the middle of the town; res. 
where the Berlin Hotel now is ; his father had a deed 
of the land in 1744 and conveyed it to his s., David, in 
1760 — sixty-three acres; David Rice sold the same 
to James Goddard in 1778 — eighty-four acres, and 
Goddardsold to Jonathan Meriam. Had s., Stephen. 

Asaph Riee once lived north of George H. Bruce's 
on west side of the road; his children, when the 
parents were away, set fire to the barn to clean out 
the rats. It did the job. 

How strange, indeed, that Asaph Rice, 
So pestered was with rats and mice. 
His children thought 'twouli be no harm 
To clear them out, to burn the barn. 
When from the church the parents came, 
The barn was gone, the rats the same. 
Ne'er troubled more was Asaph Rice 
In that old barn with rats and mice. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 467 

The numerous families of this name settled in 
Marlboro, Northboro and Shrewsbury, were descend- 
ants of Edmund Rice, b. in England in 1594; came 
from Barkhamstead to Sudbury in 1639 ^^'ith wife, 
Tamzine, and children; she d, in 1654; hem., 2d, 
Mercie, wid. of Thomas Brigham, of whom came 
our families after several generations; he settled in 
Marlboro, near "Gates' pond," about 1660, on the old 
Boston and Worcester road, and his name stands at 
the head of the petition for the Marlboro "grant;" 
he had eleven children, and his posterity have been 
very numerous in all the above-named towns. He 
d. in 1663 and was buried at Sudbury. Edmund, a 
grands, of his, who settled in Westboro, had one son 
killed and two captured and taken to Canada by the 
Indians in 1 704. The two captives remained with the 
Indians, married Indian wives and had children by 
them. For a more extended account see Hudson's 
"History of Marlboro." 

The first of the Rice name on the records as a 
citizen of Berlin territory was David Rice, whose s., 
Stephen, had a blacksmith shop on the spot where 
A. A. l^artlett's house now stands, at the time the 
first meeting-house was built. He, or possibly John 
Pollard, may have built the original Bullard house. 
What became of the family or what connection (if 
any) with the Edmund Rice family does not appear. 

Capt. Scth Rice, s. of Samuel of Northboro, b. 
May 9, 1794, m. Oct. 2, 1820, Persis, b. Oct. 2, 1799, 
dau. of Jonas Bartlett of Northboro; came to Berlin 
in 1842; res. on the Holman Priest place and Timo- 
thy Bailey farm; was representative to the General 



468 HISTORY OF THE 

Court in 1846; rem. to Shrewsbury in 1859, where he 
d. Feb; 14, 1865; wid. d. in Berlin Dec. 5, 1880. 
HadSeth, b. June 27, 1821 ; William, b. Feb. 27, 1823; 
Jonas, b. Feb. 21, 1825; Eliza G., b. July 3, 1827; 
Lewis, b. Aug. 6, 1828; Harriet, b. April 2, 1831 ; 
Silas, b. Aug. 19, 1833; Ellen P., b. June 26, 1835; 
Susan, b. Sept. 23, 1837; Samuel S., b. Nov. 4, 1839; 
Mary E., b. Oct. 26, 1841. 

Nathan Khc, from Northboro, b. Aug. 11, 18 12, s. 
of Nathan of Marlboro and of the Edmund Rice 
line, m. Mary Eliza Pearson Oct. 22, 1840; she d. ; 
m., 2d, Eliza Ann Walker May 9, 1847; d. Oct. 4, 
1863, caused by being thrown from a carriage on 
vSaw3'er hill ; m., 3d, Zilpah H., wid. of Edward 
Bliss, June 25, 1871 ; he lived with Sophia Sawyer, 
also on his last wife's place; he d. May 12, 1875. 
Had by Mary E., Arathusa, b, Nov. 6, 1841, d. Feb. 

28, 1845; ]\Iary P., b. April 6, 1843, res., California; 
Theodore, b. Oct. 28, 1844, d. April 26, 1881 ; had by 
Eliza Ann, Oliver C, b. vSept. i 5, 1848 ; George H., b. 
Aug. 2, 1852, d. Aug. 8, 1875. 

Oliver C. RuL\ s. of Nathan, m. Augusta, dau. of 
Edward Bliss, Dec. 25, 1870, res. on the Edward 
Bliss place; is a shoemaker and painter. Had Louisa 
May, b. April 14, 1874, m. Jerome Warren July 

29, 1890, res. in Berlin; Leslie O., b. Dec. 21, 
1885. 

JF/7/w AVer, b. Aug. 9, 1845, s. of Abel Rice of 
Marlboro of the Edmimd Rice line, m. Harriet 
Susan, dau. of Nahum W. Fay, April 3, 1873 ; came 
to town in 1880; res. on the Oliver Fosgate place; 
was the first to introduce hot-house culture of early 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 469 

vegetables. Had Emil}- H., b. Jan. 5, 1874; Effie 
G., b. Sept. 3. 1875; Frances E., b. Feb. 4, 1878; 
Lucy F., b. Feb. 13, 1884. 

RICH. 

James Rich, from Lynn, m. Hannah, dau, of Benja- 
min Baker, July 16, 1797 ; he built on the road below 
Ira Brown's. Had James, Stephen, Hannah, and 
others; record incomplete. 

James Rich, Jr., m. Sally, dau. of Daniel Bruce, 
1823 ; he lived in Fitchburg and d. there; the family 
returned and lived on the place recently owned by 
Mrs. James B. Hartley. Had William A., b. 1824; 

Maria, m. Dalrymple of Northboro ; George W., 

b. 1825; Jane. m. Piper; Hannah, m. 

Brigham, d. ; LouivSa, b. 1827; James G., b. 

1832, d. 1856; Harriet; Lucy; Edwin; Charles; 
Elliott; Henry P., b. 1845, d. in the army, record 
in our soldiers' memorial. This record of the family 
was gathered in scraps ; no doubt incorrect. 

RICHARDSON. 

Francis Richardson and wife, Susan, and his bro., 
Peter, came from Newton in 1867 ; bought the place 
where Rufus R. Wheeler now lives. Had Mary, who 
m. Alanson Saltmarsh, and they had a s., Edward ; 
Mary d. Feb. 13, 1876, age 27. Francis d. Dec. 7, 
1876; wid., Susan, d. April 17, 1881; Peter d. at 
Edward Flagg's in 1888. 

ROBBINS. 

John Robbins, s. of Jonathan of Stow, b. July 8, 
1828; came to Berlin in 1846; m. Lucinda S., dau. of 



470 HISTORY OF THE 

Jonas Hale, April i, 1850; he bought the old Simeon 
Bowman place, where Rufiis R. Wheeler now lives; 
built the house now on the premises ; was a soldier 
in the late war; enlisted in the 3d Mass. Cavalry in 
the spring of 1864. His wife, Lucinda S., d. April 
4, 1864; m., 2d, Lucie E. Rogers of Stow March 28, 
1 866 ; rem. to Stow in 1 867 ; he d. suddenly of heart 
disease while in Hudson Feb. 12, 1894. Had by 
Lucinda S., five children, four of whom d. in infancy; 
George E., b, Nov. 28, i860, is now m. and lives in 
Stow; had by Lucie E., Charles H., b. Oct. 30, 1868, 
m., res., Hudson; John F., b. F'eb. 19, 1870. 

Jonas Robbvis, from Acton, m. Sarah Bonner of 
Hancock, N. H. ; he settled on the place now owned 
by Joseph Turner; d. May 8, 1847, by suicide in the 
barn ; he was succeeded by Daniel E. Williams, who 
hung himself in the same barn. Wid., Sarah, d. at 
the Robbins house in the Centre Nov. 23, 1863, at y6. 

ROSE. 

Jo/ui /\ Rose, b. in Germany 1830; came over 
1 850; m. Clara E. Smith; has a house in the Centre 
on the Clinton road; wife d. Nov. 24, 1876; is a 
shoemaker and works in Hudson ; was a soldier in 
the late war in Co. I, 13th Regt., also in Co. C, 5th 
Regt. Had John P., b. in Marlboro Dec. 25, 1857, 
m. Lizzie McGrew, lives in Pittsburg, Pa. 

RUDERSDOFF. 

Madai?i Rudcrsdoff {Mansfield') was a native of 
Russia, b. in one of the lower provinces ; educated 




EBENEZER S. SAWTELLE. 

MKS. STEPHEN S. SOL'TIIWICK. 

DEA. OLIVEK !^A\VVEK. 



MRS. STEI'UKN SAWNEK. 
O. H. SAWVEK. 
OI.IVKK ^\inii. 



CAI'T. LEWIS SAWVEK. 

MKs. r. n. southwick. 

CAPT. .SILAS SAWYEK. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 47 I 

in Germany ; came to this country at the time of the 
great peace jubilee in Boston. For a summer resi- 
dence she bought "Lakeside," the place where M. 
Reed Tyler now lives ; she was singularly unfortunate 
in the loss of buildings ; first, a new barn, which was 
burned; second, a new barn in place of the one 
burned was demolished by a tornado, in which two 
were killed and others injured; third, her house, 
which had been repaired and enlarged, was burned 
in the winter when not occupied, she being in Bos- 
ton at the time. She was a very celebrated teacher of 
vocal music; had numerous pupils from all parts, 
many of whom obtained a national reputation as 
singers. 

Richard Mansfield, the celebrated actor, is one of 
her sons. 

wShe d. in Boston in 1^82 and was buried at Mt. 
Auburn ; a huge boulder for a monument marks her 
grave. 

SARGENT. 

Curtis Sargent, s. of Stephen, m. Hulda Forbes. 
Had Stephen John E., who m. Frances L. Rand Nov. 
29, 1877; Warren, b. 1850, d. May 19, 1867; Lucinda 
Ella, m. Charles D. Starkey, m., 2d, DanaM. Larkin, 
infant d. He d. 1851; wid., Hulda, m. George W. 
Howard. 

SAWYER. 

The Sawyers of Berlin are descendants of Thomas 
Sawyer, b. in England in 1616, who came from Row- 
ley, Mass., and settled in Lancaster in 1647; he was a 



472 HISTORY OF THE 

blacksmith ; his wife was Mary, the dau. of John 
Prescott, the head man of early Lancaster; his 
homestead was on the present grounds of the 
Seventh Day Adventists, between South Lancaster 
and Clinton. He d. Sept. 12, 1706, at about 90 yrs., 
leaving ten children; the oldest of these, Thomas, 
Jr., b. 1648, was in the lineage of our Berlin Saw- 
yers, and was the one captured by the Indians in 
1705. The story of his captivity has given him a 
popular fame above all college graduates; nothing 
gave notoriety like exploits with Indians, nor can 
the Lancaster experiences be forgotten in any age. 
Sawyer's is romantic, though oft repeated. This 
Indian raid and capture was during Queen Ann's 
war; was nearly thirty years after the Lancaster 
massacre (so-called) in King Philip's war in 1676. 
The Indians were from Canada ; were the allies of 
the French in the contest involving the French and 
English colonies in America ; the event occurred on 
the i6th of Oct., 1705. This Thomas Sawyer, Jr., 
while at work in his saw-mill, at present "Deer's 
Horn," together wath his s., Elias, and John Bigelow 
of Marlboro, was captured by the Indians and taken 
to Canada. A younger bro. of Elias escaped through 
a window. Sawyer was a millwright, Bigelow a 
carpenter. The French had no saw-mill. Sawyer 
saw their opportunity. For their liberty he pro- 
posed to the French governor to appropriate the 
water of the Chambly river to lumber making. The 
governor saw his opportunity, too, but the Indians 
did not see it in the same light. They saw in the 
vigor of their chief captive the pluck of a good 
subject for their devilish torture. The narrative 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



473 



has it that he was finally tied to a stake ; the French 
Catholic priests had gained much influence over the 
Indians. A friar was equal to the occasion ; brandish- 
ing a key in mid-air he threatened "to unlock 
purgatory and thrust them into eternal fires if thev 
did not release the prisoner." Superstition had its 
uses ; they let him go ; the mill was built, the first 
in all Canada; Thomas Sawyer and Bigelow came 
home ; Elias was detained a year longer to run the 
mill and instruct others in the art of sawing. No 
wonder the wSawyers have had saw-mill "on the 
brain." If you can find a saw-mill in all this region 
not started or run by a Sawyer, publish it. Some 
Sawyer, doubtless, was responsible for this old saw : 

Sawyer says of all the saws 
He ever saw saw, 
He never saw- a saw saw, 
As Sawyer's saw saws. 

As appears by a will of Thomas Sawyer, Jr., put 
on record in 1735, he had four sons, William, 
Joseph, Bazalies and Elias, and two daus., Mary, 
wife of Joshua Rice of Marlboro, and Hannah, wife 
of Jonathan Moore (of Bolton). He bequeathed 
twelve pounds to purchase a vessel for the church in 
Lancaster. A Bolton tradition holds that he had a 
dau. who m. Rev. Nathaniel Whitman of Deerfield ; 
if so, she was a dau. probably of his first wife, 
Sarah, b. 1671, their only child ; she was buried in 
Bolton. He d. 1736 and was buried in Lancaster 
old cemetery. 

William Saicycr, eldest s. of Thomas Sawyer, Jr., 
m., 1700, Hannah, dau. of John Houghton, 2d. Had 
Benjamin; Israel; Joseph; William; Josiah ; Uriah; 



474 HISTORY OF THE 

Aholiab; Mar}'', m. Phineas Willard ; Hannah, m. 
John Snow; Hephzibah, m. Increase Powers ; Thank- 
ful, m. Jonathan Fairbanks; Martha, m. Charles 
Wilder. His homestead was south of the present 
village of Bolton; their garrison assignment near 
the Centre was with John Moore, near Fr3rv^ille ; he 
had lands in other places; had lOO acres on the west 
slope of "Gates hill," now "vSawyer hill," and 120 on 
the east slope ; on these his s., Josiah, settled, but 
Josiah was not the first Sawyer on the hill ; two 
William Sawyers were here in our early history, 
probably the father and bro. of Josiah, and also 
Aholiab, who lived on the west slope of Sawyer hill 
on land now of Henry H. Bliss ; he rem. to Temple- 
ton about 1750. 

Dca. Josiah Sa%vycr\ William', Thomas", Jr., 
Thomas', b. 1714, m. Sarah Fairbanks, dau. of 
Jabez Fairbanks of Bolton and granddau. of the 
famous Indian fighter and bro. of our Esquire 
Ephraim Fairbanks, who lived on Wheeler hill July 
28, 173S; the Sawyer stock has ever constituted a 
large element in our population and in the church, 
all as to permanent residents descendants of Josiah ; 
he was an original member and first deacon of the 
church; was a Godly man; his old Bible and the 
stand on which it was daily opened with care, and 
other relics, are sacredly preserved, now in the hands 
of his great grands., Daniel H. Carter. 

DEA. JOSIAH sawyer's LEAP. 

The tradition in the Sawyer family of the remarkable leap 
of their ancestor here, Dea. Josiah Sawyer, is undoubtedly 
substantially true, and worthy of record. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 475 

The Story is that Dea. Josiah Sawyer had become the owner 
of a tract of land on Sawyer hill about 1735; ^^^ living in 
Bolton with his father, William, probably; he was engaged in 
clearing up the land and making preparation for settlement. 
While returning home one evening on foot, as was his custom, 
in descending the hill just north of the Quaker Meeting-house, 
an Indian, in ambush by the wayside, sprang out with toma- 
hawk in hand. Sawyer, being unprepared with defensive 
weapons, took to his heels, with the Indian after him. He, 
by his agility, outran the savage and reached his home in 
safety. By measurement the next day, it was found that one 
of the leaps, as the footprints showed, was sixteen feet, the most 
extraordinary leap ever known in these parts. 

Dea. Josiah had by his wife, Sarah, Josiah, b. 
Nov. 24, 1738, d. young; William, b. March 5, 1740; 
Hannah, b. June 25, 1743, m. Curtis of Har- 
vard; Rebecca, b. Feb. 15, 1745, m. Wilder 

of Putney, Vt. ; Sarah, b. Feb. 6, 1747, m. William 
Wilder of Putney, Vt. ; Aholiab, b. 1749; Josiah, b. 
Nov. 8, 1752. Wife, Sarah, d. 1762; he m., 2d, 
Mary Tooker. The Tookers preceded the Chase 
family on "The Acre," now in Clinton. Had by 
wife, Mary, Levi, b. Nov. 10, 1764, d. young; Silas, 
b. July 5, 1766; Thomas, b. March 9, 1770, d. 1771. 
Josiah served as deacon from 1770 to 1799; he d. 
July 3, 1805, at 91 ; wife, Mary, d. March 25, 1799, 
at 71. 

William Sawjur, s. of Dea. Josiah, m. Hannah, 
dau. of Lieut. Oliver and Hannah (Hunt) Barrett of 
Bolton, Jan. to, 1764; the Barrett family has ever 
been prominent in Bolton ; he settled on a part of the 
old homestead of his father, the present farm of M. 
Reed Tyler, recently the estate of Madam Ruders- 



476 HISTORY OF THE 

doff, and known as "Lakeside." Had by Hannah, 
Abigail, b. May 5, 1765, m. Cotton Newton (see 
Newton) ; William, b. Feb. 6, 1 767 ; Amos, b. March 
17, 1769; Mary, b. Feb. 8, 1771, m., Sept. 26, 1792, 
Rufus Howe, both of Berlin, s. of Joseph, of Gates' 
pond, res., Marlboro, Vt. ; Oliver, b. April 17, 1774; 
Asa, b. Aut^. 2, 1775, was in Jaffrey, N. H., 1803 to 
181 7; Uriah, b. May 24, 1778, m., Feb. 2, 1803, Sally 
Spofford, res., Jaffrey, N. H., and Ohio; Polly, b. 

1780, m. Rufus Howe, he d. in Marlboro, Vt., she 
returned; Hannah, b. Jan. 6, 1781, m. Robert Fos- 
gate, res., Winchester, N. H., she d. there 1871, at 
90 yrs. ; Levi, b. 1784, d. young. He d. Feb. 28. 
1822, at 80; shed. Feb. 8, 1830, at 88. 

Josiali Sawyer, Jr., s. of Dea. Josiah, m. Bathsheba 
Moore of Putney, Vt., service by Rev. William God- 
dard of Westmoreland Aug. 6, 1770 ; he retained the 
homestead of his father; later the place was owned 
by his dau., Lucinda, and her s., Daniel H. Carter, 
and is now owned and occupied by Willard G. Bruce. 
Had by Bathsheba, Alvan, b. Oct. 30, 1770; Eunice, 
b. Nov. 10, 1774, m. Ephraim Babcock ; Bathsheba, 
b. May 9, 1778, d. young. W^ife, Bathsheba, d. 
March 17, 1778; he m., 2d, Persis, dau. of Hon. 
Samuel Baker; they had: vSusannah, b. Nov. 19, 

1 78 1, m. Caleb Houghton; Bathsheba, b. 1784, d. 
young. Wife, Persis, d. 1785; he m., 3d, Prudence 
Johnson of Leominster Jan. 4, 1786; they had: Ira, 
b. Oct. I, 1787; Lucinda, b. April 20, 1789, m. 
Amory Carter, also Cummings Moore ; Rufus, b. 
Sept. 22, 1790; George, b. Feb. 6, 1793; Asa, b. vSept. 
3, 1795; Persis, b. June 18, 1798, m. Loring Howe 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



477 



of Marlboro; Sarah, b. July 12, 1800,' m. Lewis Car- 
ter, she d. Feb. 26, 1895. 

Si/as Saivyer, s. of Dea. Josiah, m. Sarah, dau. of 
Phineas Howe, Jan. 6, 1785 ; he settled on Sawyer 
hill, the place recently owned by his grands., Jonas 
Sawyer. Had Thomas, b. June 10, 1785 ; Jonas, b. 
July I, 1787 ; Abraham, b. June 26, 1789; Experience, 
b. June I, 1 79 1, m., 18 12, Moses Greenlief of Bolton; 
Phineas, b. Feb. 16, 1794, went to Ohio; Mary, b. 
1798, m. Samuel Spofford, Jr.; Silas, b. Oct. i, 1800, 
d. 1805. He d. Nov. 9, 1842; wife, Sarah, d. June 
26, 1832, 

Amos Sazuycr", William", Dea. Josiah', William', 
Thomas'-', Jr., Thomas', m. Persis, dau. of Joseph 
Howe ; he settled on the Assabet, on the place re- 
cently owned by Aaron Morse ; he built the house 
now standing on the place; was deacon of the 
Unitarian Church; late in life he sold his farm and 
moved on the place where Christopher Wheeler now 
lives. Had Amory, b. July 4, 1 793 ; Lucy, b. Dec. 
13, 1794, m. HoUis Eager of Marlboro Nov. 6, 18 16; 
William, b. July 30, 1796; Polly, b. Feb. 12, 1798, 
m. Benjamin F. Spofford; Betsey, b. Aug. 6, 1799, 
m. Abel Howe; Joseph and Franklin, b. Sept. 3, 
1801 ; Franklin d. June 26, 1809; Joseph d. July 3, 
1809; Amos, b. March 10, 1808; Joseph and Frank- 
lin, b. Nov. 3, 1809; Joseph d. Sept. 30, 1825; 
Franklin d. Oct. 10, 1847, unm. Dea. Amos d. Oct. 
3, 1842; wife d. Sept. 25, 1850. 

Dfa. Oliver Sazvycr,'' William,' Dea. Josiah,' m. 
Lucy Fairbanks of Northboro; she d. April 22, 18 10, 
at 23 yrs. ; he m., 2d, Sophia Rice of Northboro; he 



47^ HISTORY OK THK 

succeeded his father on the homestead on wSawyer 
hill; he built the house which was burned when 
Madam Rudersdoff owned it ; was a highly respected 
citizen of the town and was quite often entrusted 
with its affairs. Had by wife, vSophia, Lewis, b. 
Feb. 2, 1812, d. on the homestead Feb. 8, 1856, 
unm. ; Oliver Barrett, b. June 5, 18 16; Lucy Fair- 
banks and Sophia Rice, twins, b. Sept. 9, 1 8 1 9 ; 
Lucy m. Stephen Sawyer of Worcester Jan. 8, 1845; 
she d. in Worcester Dec. 29, 1 847 ; Sophia d. on the 
homestead Oct. 24, 1873, unm. Dea. Oliver served 
in office as deacon of the Congregational Church 
from 1830 to 1848; he d, April 15, 185 1; wife, 
Sophia, d. vSept. i, 1841. 

Auwrj' Sm^ycr', s. of Dea. Amos', William", Dea. 
Josiah,' m. Lucy, dau. of Alvin Sawyer; he settled 
on the Assabet, near his father's, the place now 
owned by Nathaniel Wheeler; built the house now 
standing thereon; was a carpenter; was injured by a 
fall from a staging on the Chandler Carter house at 
the time of its erection in 1831. Had Zilpah H.. b. 
Jan. 27, 1 8 19, m. Edward Bliss, m., 2d, Nathan 
Rice; Amory Bardwell, b. Aug. 8, 1821 ; Lucy M., 
b. Sept. 22, 1823, m. Henry H. Bliss; Martha A., b. 
Oct. II, 1827, d. Nov. 24, 1882, unm. He d. Sept. 
7, 1831 ; Lucy m., 2d, Moses Greenlief of Bolton.; 
shed, here May 17, 1878. 

William Saicyer', Dea. Amos', William", Dea. 
Josiah\ m., Jan. 7, 1821, Zilpah Howe; had no per- 
manent res. in Berlin. Had Lucinda H., b. iVpril i, 
1822; Luc}' E., b. Jan. 3, 1828. Wife, Zilpah, d. ; he 
m., 2d, the divorced wife of Ethan Allen of Worcester, 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



479 



the pistol maker; he finally went to California and 
probably d. there. 

Amos SaiL'yc'7-\ Dea. Amos', William", Dea. Josiah', 
m. Sarah H., dau. of Thomas Sawyer, Dec. 4, 1836; 
he lived in Berlin Centre, on the place where his s., 
Chester, and his mother now reside ; he was the 
successor of Esquire Jonathan D. Meriam in the 
stage and express business (see '-Stage Coach"); he 
was a justice of the peace and representative to 
the General Court in 1849-50. Children: 

Mary Adella, b. Nov. 5, 1837, m., Sept. 6, 1855, 
William Barnes Carter, res., Columbus, Ga. ; she d. 
there June 8, 1862. Had Addie Adella, William 
Amos. 

Morgianna Maria, b. Jan. 1, 1840, m., Aug. 6, 
i860, Lorren Arnold, res., Marlboro. Had Indiana 
Howe, Cora Belle, Harry Jackson: the mother d. 
March 21, 1883. 

Josepn Marshall, b. Nov. 8, 1842 ; d. 1843. 

Sarah Grace, b. Feb. 18, 1844, m., Feb. 18, 1862, 
Oscar Warren Holt, res., Hudson. Had Oscar War- 
ren, Leslie Oscar, Ralph Warren. 

Augusta Elizabeth, b. Jan. 22, 1846, m., Jan. i, 
1868, Warren S. Peters ; shed. Aug. 2, 1868; no 
child. 

Frederic Amos, b. July 28, 1848 ; d. Sept. 30, 185 1. 

Lucy Sophia, b. Aug. 13, 1850. m., Nov. 4, 1870, 
Warren S. Howe; she d. Jan. 28, 1883: one child 
d. in infancy. 

Lucina Frances, b. May 5, 1852; d. Jan. 15, 1865. 

Franklin Amos, b. Sept. 14, 1853; d. March 18, 
1856. 



480 HISTORY OF THE 

Lewis Amos, b. Jan. 19, 1856, m., July 20, 1876, 
Lucinda B. Hebard; he d. July 25, 1S80. Had 
Winifred B. and Robert Lewis. 

Chester Albert, b. Nov. 22, 1857. 

Clara Isabel, b. Nov. 11, 1858: d. April 15, 1859. 

Silas Abel, b. Oct. 15, i860. 

The father d. Aug. i 5, 1866; Sarah, wid., m. Henry 
D. Coburn. 

Alvan Saiovi'r\ Josiah", Dea. Josiah' and Bathsheba 
Moore, m., Feb. 13, 1794, Sarah, dau. of James God- 
dard, vSr. ; he settled on the farm previously owned 
bv Thomas Bride and now by Leonard AV. Brewer. 
Had by Sarah, Lucy, b. March 16, 1795, m. Amory 
vSawyer; Zilpah, b. Feb. 3, 1797, d. Oct. 11, 1875, 
unm. ; Levi, b. April 7, 1799, d. unm., 1837; Eli, b. 
Jan. 7, 1801 ; Alvan, b. Sept. 8, 1803, m. Lucy Bige- 
low of Lowell, she d. May 18, 1831, m., 2d, Jerusha 
A. Tarleton of Nashua, he d. in Cuba in 1856. Wife, 
Sarah Goddard, d. Nov. 14, 1806; m., 2d, Sally New- 
ton of Marlboro, 1808, and had by Sally, Josiah, b. 
iMarch 25, 18 10; George W., b. Oct. 11, 181 1; 
Stephen, b. Feb. 11, 1 8 1 3 ; Sally Newton, b. 1 8 1 5 . 
m. Julius L., s. of Rev. Eber L. Clarke, res., Wor- 
cester and Newton, has been state auditor and 
commissioner of insurance; Susan, b. 1819, m. 
Edward L. Brigham of Worcester in 1844, she d. 
1871. 

George Saiiyir\ Josiah\ Dea. Josiah', m. 

Hoar, protegee of Dea. Jonathan Meriam ; the family 
rem. to Tennessee and Kentucky. 

Ira Sazujrr\ Josiah', Dea. Josiah', m. Abigail, dau. 
of William Hastings of Bolton ; he settled in Bolton 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 48 1 

just over the line, where his s., Benjamin H., now 
lives; he d. Aug. 30, 1861. Had William, b. Oct. 5, 
18 12; Josiah E., b. Jan. 10, 18 14; Mary Ann, b. Dec. 
I, 1815, m. George W. Sawyer; Hartwell, b. Jan. 6, 
18 18; Ira J., b. Dec. 31, 18 19; Charles P., b. March 
19, 1822, d. Dec. 26, 185 I ; Sarah Jane, b. Jan. 18, 1824, 
m. Amory A. Bartlett; George Q., b. Aug. 26, 1828; 
Oliver, b. May 27,1830; Benjamin H., b. Aug. 7, 1826. 

Rufjis Saivycr\ Josiah^ Dea. Josiah', m. Seraph, dau, 
of Adam Bartlett, June 12, 181 3; he settled on the 
Dr. Hezekiah Gibbs farm, now owned by F. A. 
Woodward. Had Alden, b. March 24, 18 14; Almina, 
b. July II, 181 5, m. Horace Bigelow; Israel, b. Oct. 
12, 1817; Lucinda, b. Aug. 5, 1819, m. Israel Moore 
of Bolton, she d. Oct. 27, 1840; Edwin, b. Sept. 16, 
1821 ; Eli, b. May 22, 1823; Addison, b. April 6, 
1825, m. Elizabeth Brigham, res., Reading, d. Mar. 
4. 1893 ; Joseph B., b. June 2, 1827, m. Elona Smith, 
res., Hadley, d. June 18, 1886; Jonathan Orison, b. 
July 26, 1829, m. Alice Currier, res., Lawrence, d. 
Apr. 26, 1887; R uf us Curtis, b. Oct. 8, 1832. Rufus, 
Sr., d. April 12, 1865; wife d. Dec. 3, 1863. They 
celebrated their golden wedding in the room in which 
they were m. — the Judge Baker stone mansion — 1 863. 

Asa Sazuyir\ Esq., Josiah\ Dea. Josiah', m., Nov. 3, 
1 8 1 4, Emma, dau. of Dea. Stephen Bailey, who lived 
on the Ira Jones place ; Asa lived on the Hudson 
road, the residence now of Ebenezer S. Sawtelle, Jr. ; 
he was a district school teacher many years ; took a 
lively interest in school affairs ; was quite constant 
in attendance at school examinations; was justice of 
the peace ; did most of the conveyancing in town 



40 2 HISTORY OF THE 

and was quite largely employed in probate buvsiness ; 
was an agent for the Old Worcester County Fire 
Insurance Co. ; their golden wedding, held at their 
house in 1 864, was very largely attended by relatives 
and friends, and was an exceedingly interesting and 
pleasant occasion. Had Fanny W., b. July 17, 181 5, 
d. Aug. II, 1830; Winthrop Bailey, b. June 3, 18 17, 
adopted the name of Winthrop Bailey by leaving off 
the Sawver, commemorative of his uncle, pastor of 
the Unitarian Church in Deerfield ; Winthrop was a 
graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary and 
settled on Long Island and southeast New York ; he 

m. , by whom he had Margaret, who m. Rev. 

; also Winthrop, who m. Rosa, dau. of George 

E. Johnson. Esquire Asa and Emma had also 
Theodore Wilder, b. Feb. 14, 18 19, m. Lucinda Rice 
of Marlboro, where they res., and d. April, 1869; 
Humphrey W., b. Jan. 14, 1822, d., it is supposed, in 
California; Emma B., b. Nov. 13, 1826, d. Sept. 4. 
1 831; Henrietta, b. Sept. 3, 1829, d. May 24, 1834. 
Esquire Asa d. May 23, 1877; Emma, wid., d. April 
6, 1880. 

Capt. Lcii'ls Sawyir\ Dea. Oliver , William', Dea. 
Josiah', remained on the homestead with his father, 
and continued there after his father's death with his 
sister, Sophia, until his own death, caused by heart 
failure, Feb. 8, 1 856 ; he was an influential and highly 
respected citizen of the town ; was town clerk 1838, 
'45, '50, '55; the records made by him show great 
neatness, precision and accuracy; he was a justice of 
the peace and a representative to the General Court 
185 1-2, and was a captain of light infantry; was 
unm. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



483 



Oliver Barrett Sawyer', Dea. Oliver', William', Dea. 
Josiah', m. Angelina, dati. of Henry Baldwin of 
Shrewsbury, April 12, 1842; the name, Oliver Bar- 
rett, is commemorative of the family of the grandm., 
Hannah Barrett, of Bolton ; he established himself 
in business at West Boylston; was a successful 
merchant and a man of public affairs in that town ; 
he was a representative to the General Court from 
this town in 1843; he d. prematurely by overwork 
April 15, 1862. Had b. here Henry Oliver, who m. 
in West Boylston Flora A. Wetherbee, and they 
have Henry, Angle and Cora ; had also Walter Bar- 
rett, who m. Louisa Holbrook, and they have Sadie 
and Lillian. The business established by the father 
has been continued by the sons. 

Aj/iory Bardwe 1 1 Satv)'er\ Am.ovy\ Amos', William^ 
Dea. Josiah', m., Nov. 29, 1849, Lucinda, dau. of 
Benjamin Coffran; he settled on the Hudson road; 
built the new and elegant house where he now 
resides; his wife d. July 3, 185 i ; he remains unm. ; 
his mother continued with him during her last years. 

H/i Saicjer\ Alvan', Josiah', Dea. Josiah', m. 
Azuba Mos.sman of Sudbury 1828 ; he lived awhile at 
West Newton, but returned and occupied the home- 
stead of his father, the place where L. W. Brewer 
»now lives ; a short time before he d. he sold his farm 
and bought the house where Mrs. Ames now lives, on 
the road to the Old Colony depot, where he d. March 
10, 1 870; his wid. d. Sept. 21, 1884, at 87. Had 

I Sarah Goddard, b. June 12, 1830, d. Dec. 31, 1865 ; 
Amorv, b. April 14, 1832, d. June 13, 185 i ; William 
I "' 



484 HISTORY OF THE 

Keyes, he d, March 19, 1870 ; Levi, b. Nov. 7, 1835, 
d. May 30, 1837 ; Eli, b. Aug. 9, 1837. 

Eli Smvycr'\ Jr., Eli', Alvan', Josiah°, Dea. Josiah', 
m., Jan. 4, 1867, Morgianna, dati. of J. N. P. Johnson 
of this town ; he is a carpenter and now res. in West- 
boro; he was one of our soldiers in the late war; 
served three years in Co. I, 25th Mass. Vols. ; an 
honorable record. 

Josiali S(iu'vcr\ Alvan", Josiah'', Dea. Josiah', m. 
Arissa, dau. of Joseph Moore ; he lived on the south 
slope of Sawyer hill in the brick house where his 
widow still res. Had Henry J., b. Dec. 7, 1841 ; 
Edward N., b. March 3, 1844, m., May 16, 1876, 
Sarah H., dau. of Greely Dow, settled on Wata- 
quodock hill in Bolton, she d, April 10, 1888; they 
had Ella D., b. Jan. 10, 1886, Lewis J., stillborn,. 
May 5, 1887; Sarah Arissa, b. Sept. 5, 1849, ^- Elias 
L. Wheeler. Josiah d. July 2, 1885. 

Dea. George W. Smvyer\ Alvan', Josiah", Dea, 
Josiah', m. Mary Ann, dau. of Ira Sawyer, April 10,. 
1839 ; he lived until 1857 on the farm now Algernon 
Cartwright's, thence rem. to the James Goddard,, 
jr., farm, w^here his s., Charles M., now res. Had 
Martha C, b. Aug. 25, 1842, d. Jan. 18, 1844; Mary 
E., b. Jan. 3, 1845, d. Jan. 6, 1845; William H., b. 
May 22, 1846, d. Sept. 9, 1864; Winthrop G., b. 
Nov. 14, 1847, settled in Detroit, Mich.; Martha 
Ann, b. May 7, 1850, d. Oct. 12, 1864; Charles 
Marshall, b. April 21, 1852. Dea. George W. d. 
June 10, 1881 ; wid. d. Jan. 4, 1892. 

Stephen Sazuyer\ Alvan', Josiah", Dea. Josiah', m. 
Lucy F., dau. of Dea. Oliver Sawyer, Jan. 8, 1845. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



485 



Had Lucy F., b. Dec. 29, 1847. Wife d. Dec. 29, 
1847; m., 2d, Mary W. Bigelow of Worcester Dec. 
2, 1857; had Mary Sophia, b. Nov. i, 1858, d. 
March 9, 1859; Harriet Louise, b. Sept. 26, 1862, 
d. March 19, 1868 ; Stephen, b. Oct. 29, 1868; Grace 
May, b. March 6, 1871. 

Thomas Sawycr\ Silas\ Dea. Josiah', m. Sarah, 
dau. of Christopher Bannister Bigelow, April 16, 
1809; he was a cooper and lived in an old house on 
the place where his s., Capt. Silas, now res. Had 
Silas, b. July 15, 181 1 ; Abel, b. May 20, 18 13; Mary 
Bigelow, b. Aug. 19, 181 5, m- Albert Babcock; 
Sarah Howe, b. May 18, 1818, m. Amos Sawyer, 
Jr. ; Betsey, b. March 21, i820;m. Elbridge Wheeler 
of Hudson; Clarissa, b. April 20, 1822, m. William 
P. Keyes; Lucy, b. Feb. 22, 1824, tn. James Boyd of 
Marlboro. Wife, Sarah, d. Feb. 9, 1833; he m., 2d, 
Mrs. Hannah (Lawrence) Warner, she d. May 21, 
1849. He d. lune 18, 1864. 

Jonas Saivyer\ Silas% Dea. Josiah', m. Eusebia, 
dau. of Dea. Stephen Bailey, Oct. 22, 1809; he re- 
tained the homestead. Had Eliza, b. March 6,1810, 
m Abraham Bigelow; Jonas, b. Dec. 10, 181 1; 
Sylvia, b. June 2, 1813, d. July 29, 1837, in Water- 
ford, Me.; Sally Howe, b. May 23, 181 5, and Stephen 
Bailey, who went to California with the forty-niners, 
returned when the Welcome Barnes place was sold, 
the proceeds of which went to him, who m. Mrs. Mary 
Bruso, a French lady, April 28, 1874, bought the 
place where Robert Newsome did live, finally sold 
the same and went to California again, where it is 



486 HISTORY OF THE 

supposed that he d. Eusebia, wife, d. in Pelham. 
Feb. 27, 1821 ; Jonas, Sr., d. May i, 1827. 

Abraham Sawyer", Silas\ Dea. Josiah', m. Abigail 
Keyes of Northboro ; he lived on his father's place. 
Had Davis, b. May 18, 18 17, d. Dec. 5, 1840; Ros- 
well, b. Nov. 29, 1 8 18, d. July 6, 1843; Curtis, b. 
Aug. 17, 1820, d. March 4, 185 1 ; Sarah M., b. March 
17, 1822, m. Sidney Harris of Clinton, she d. ; James 
Keyes, b. Oct. 8, 1824; Harriet, b. Feb. 20, 1829, d. 
May 9, 1834. Wife, Abigail, d. Aug. 7, 1830; he d. 
April 28, 1836, by suicide. 

Capt. Silas Sawycr\ Thomas', Silas", Dea. Josiah', 
m. Lucy, dau. of Amory Holman, April 16, 1835 ; he 
res. on the Hudson road, the place where his father 
lived; he built the new house and barn on the 
premises ; is a carpenter and stone mason ; has been 
the town sexton for more than thirty years, and has 
held many offices of trust and responsibility in town 
and church. Had by wife, Lucy, Ellen Frances, b. 
April 29, 1836, m. vSamuel W. Moore, res., West- 
boro ; Lavinia, b. March 30,, 1838, m. George H. 
Cutting of Lancaster, who d., leaving two daus.,. 
Lucy L. and Carrie E., who m. respectively Charles 
A. Shoemaker and Charles R. Brown. Wife, Lucy,, 
d. July 10, 1848; he m., 2d, Mary L., sister of Lucy. 

Abel Sawyer', Thomas', vSilas", Dea. Josiah', m. 
Lucy, dau. of John Goss, res., Clinton. Had Frank 
G., m. Lilla, dau. of Henry Morse of Clinton. Abel 
d. March 16, 1853. 

Jonas Sazvycr', Jonas', Silas^ Dea. Josiah', m. 
Angelina, dau. of Jonathan Wheeler of Bolton, 



m^^^^^F 


■1 

-Wi. 


^^^^^^^^^^^^^BTv^^^^I? 


f)^^ 







EDWIN SAWYER. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 489 

was a shoemaker ; carried on the bottoming of shoes 
in a shop near his house; was on the Board of 
Selectmen and Assessors, and was superintendent of 
the Unitarian Sunday school. Had Sarah Louisa, 
b. April 6, 1843, m. S. Everett Jones of Westboro; 
Clara Estelle, b. Sept. 22, 1845, m. Theodore Guertin; 
Adin Augustus, b. Oct. 3, 1854, m. Ellen E., dau. of 
Elisha T. Wheeler, res., Clinton; Emily A., b. Oct. 
9, 1848. Israel d. Dec. 5, 1881; wid. d. Nov. 19, 
1883, at 66. 

Echviii Sawyer'' , Rufus", Josiah", Dea. Josiah', m. 
Emily, dau. of Leonard Hartwell; he was a shoe- 
maker, and also a farmer in later years ; was on the 
Board of Selectmen 1871-73 ; he settled in Carterville, 
the place now owned by W. B. Morse". Had Alice 
Viola, b. Jan. 10, 185 1, d. May 19, 1867; Edwin 
Erving, b. Dec. 8, 1855. He d. Nov. 19, 1891 ; wid., 
Emily, d. March 12, 1892. 

Eli Sawycr\ Rufus', Josiah", Dea. Josiah", m. Sarah 
(Goss) Carter, wid. of Rufus Carter, Nov. 27, 1845 ; he 
is a stone mason and res. in Clinton. Had Lucinda 
A., b. May 6, 1847; Sarah A., b. Nov. 24, 1851, m., 
Dec. 13, 1892, C. W. Lehnert; Orrin R., b. Feb. i, 
1850, d. Sept. 19, 1 85 I. Wife, Sarah, d. . 

Rufus Curtis Sawyer,* Rufus', Josiah', Dea. Josiah', 
m. Catheri*ne, dau. of Samuel M. Fuller, Oct. 19, 
1852; he is by trade a shoemaker and his domicile is 
in the middle of the town on the Boylston road ; has 
been living in Hudson several years, but still retains 
his place here. Had Emma, b. May 29, 1853, m. 
J. F. Elliot Aug. 12, 1875, she d. Jan. 14, 1884; 
Lizzie, b. Aug. 19, 1855, m. Robert Lackey, ; 



490 HISTORY OF THE 

Samuel R., b. April 3, 1857, m. Ellen, dau. of John 
Stone of Northboro, had two children, Elsie and 
Herman, res., Dorchester, is clerk in Boston ; James 
C, b. July 16, 1861, m. Mabel Rockwell of N. S., m., 
2d., Josie Young of Marlboro, no children, res., 
Marlboro; Lorren E., b. April i, 1864, m. Lucy Bul- 
lard of Millis, had four children, two d., res., Millis; 
Lottie, b. May i, 1868, d. Jan. i, 1885. 

Henry J. Saivycr\ Josiah', Alvan", Josiah\ Dea. 
Josiah', m., March 25, 1866, Elizabeth M., dau. of 
Charles Miller, who settled on the Dea. James God- 
dard farm in i860; Henry J. now occupies the 
premises. 

Charles M. S(nvyer\ George W.\ Alvan', Josiah", 
Dea. Josiah', m. Julia Ida, dau. of William Bassett, 
Nov. 19, 1882; he retains the homestead of his 
father. Had Florence M., b. April 6, 1884; Hazel 
I., b. June 30, 1886; Marjorie L., b. Oct. 21, 1888; 
Herman L., b. Dec. 30, 1890; Beatrice G., b. Aug. 
30, 1892; William G., b. Feb. 19, 1895. 

Wintlirop George Sawyer, s. of Geo. W., m. Louise 
R. Nicholson Sept. 8, 1875, in Detroit. Had Win- 
throp G. Sawyer, b. in Berlin Nov. 14, 1847; Louise 
R. Sawyer, b. in Detroit Jan. 15, 1854; Bertha L. 
Sawyer, b. in Detroit Sept. 4, 1881 ; Elvin Wilfred 
Sawyer, b. in Detroit Aug. 21, 1886, d. Nov. 26, 1886. 

Ivers H. Saii>yer\ Hartwell', Ira", Josiah", Dea. Josiah', 
m. Abbie M,, dau. of George Farwell, June 14, 1871. 
Had Elsie G., b. Dec. 5, 1871, d. July i, 1892; Ivers 
E., b. April 22, 1874; George H., b. May 8, 1876; 
Perley B., b. Oct. i, 1878; Ethel M., b. May 15, 1881 ; 




MRS. EDWIN SAWYER. 




FRANK L. SAWYER. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 49 1 

Hattie W., b. March 21, 1886; Elcia G., b. Aug. 21, 
1892. 

Lexvis N. Sawyer", Oliver', Ira', Josiah", Dea. Josiah", 
m. Eliza O., dau. of John G. Fosgate, res., Hudson; 
L. Agnes, b. Apr. 18, 1878, m. Beatrice, b. June 
29, 1883. 

Joseph Henry Sawyer", Alden', Rufus', Josiah', Dea. 
Josiah', m., June 13, 1869, Abbie Green, dau. of 
Edward F. Green; he succeeds his father on the 
Judge Baker farm at the stone house. Had Walter 
A., b. June 28, 1880; Carl E., b. March 5, 1882; 
Louisa P., b. Feb. 26, 1883; Lucy M., b. Nov. 28,. 
1887; Ralph H., b. May 5, 1892, d. Aug. 17, 1892. 

A. AugusUis Sawyer", Israel', Rufus', Josiah", Dea. 
Josiah', m., May 9, 1877, Ellen E., dau. of Elisha T. 
Wheeler. Had Louisa E., b. Sept. 17, 1878; Nellie 
M., b. May 8, 1882 ; Ina O., b. May 4, 1886. He d. 
Oct. 17, 1893. 

Eawin Erving Sawyer", Edwin', Rufus", Josiah\, 
Dea. Josiah', m. Lizzie Arabella, dau. of George E. 
Johnson, Oct. 17, 1877 ; has been connected with the 
Herbert Howe Shoe Co. for many years, and been on 
the Board of Aldermen of Marlboro. Had one child, 
d. young. 

Daniel Saivyer of Bolton, and wife, Catherine, both 
d. here; she d. Jan. 20, 1862; dau., Betsey, d. Jan. 
12, 1862, at 39; other children were: Josiah C, whO' 
m. Fatima, a sister of George W. Maynard, had 
Daniel, Josiah, and a dau. who m. Calvin Smith, Jr.; 
Hannah, wife of Henry D. Coburn, and Catherine, 
wife of William Coburn ; Erastus O. m. Sarah Jane,, 
dau. of Oliver Smith. 



492 HISTORY OF THE 

SAWTELLE. 

Ebcnczcr S. Sazvtclle, b. Sept. 15, 18 10, s. of Zacha- 
riah, who was b. in Northboro, m. Roxana, b. Dec, 
9, 181 5, dau. of Sewell Bruce, March 5, 1834; .settled 
next north of George H. Barnes'; farmer and stone 
mason. Had Martha F., b. Dec. 19, 1834, m. Jonas 

5. Ball, she d. Nov. 27, 1878, Jonas d. Oct. 5, 1865; 
Ebenezer S., b. Dec. 21, 1836, d. Sept. 21, 1841; 
Joseph M., b. June 23, 1840; Frances A., b. Oct. 5, 
1844, m. Richard M. Wheeler; Ebenezer S., b. Nov 

6, 1846; Henry L., b. Sept. 20, 1849. Wife, Roxana, 
d. March 27, 1890. 

Joseph M. Satvtcllc, s. of Ebenezer S., Sr., m. Mary 
Jane Hayden; no children; res,, West Brookfield ; 
was a soldier in the late war. 

Ebenezer S. Sawtcllc, Jr., m. Harriet A., dau. of 
Elisha T. Wheeler, June 20, 1869, res., the Esq, Asa 
Sawyer place. Had William H., b, April 13, 1870, 
res., Waltham. Wife d. Sept. 22, 1890. 

Henry L. Saivtelle, s. of Ebenezer S., Sr., m. Ellen E. 
Shaw Oct. 5, 1870; he is station agent at Marlboro 
Junction. Had Harry A., d. 1890. 

SEVERANCE. 

Nathan Severance, b. in Danbury, N. H., Sept. 27, 
1850, m. Elizabeth S. Griffith March 3, 1892; came 
to Berlin 1 892 ; res. on the Capt. Paul Brigham place. 

SHATTUCK. 

This has been a prominent New England family. 
Among the eminent of the name, Lemuel Shattuck 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



493 



was foremost in local historical researc. He was a 
graduate of Harvard and a cultivated scholar. His 
"History of Concord," 1855, was among the earliest 
of its kind, and gave inspiration to many students of 
New England life. He also wrote a genealogy of 
the Shattucks. More than any other man, perhaps, 
save Marshall P. Wilder, he laid the foundation of 
the Historical Society, worthy of his calling. 

The earliest family of Shattucks in America was 
founded by William, "weaver," of Lancashire (?), 
England, b. 1621 ; he was one of the first proprietors 
of Watertown. 

Stephen Shattnck'\ Jr., Stephen"', Samuel', SamueF^ 
Samuer, William', b. in Pepperell Aug. 10, 1785 ; 
his father served three years in the Continental 
army; was at Valley Forge in that memorable 
winter, and was a pensioner from 18 18; Stephen, jr., 
lived in Francestown, N. H., North Reading, Marl- 
boro, Northboro, Boylston and Berlin, Mass.; m., 

1 8 16, Hannah, dan. of Carter of North 

Reading. Had Miranda N., b. Jan. 11, 1818; Elijah 
C, b. Aug. 27, 1820; Hannah A., b. June, 1822; 
Stephen A., b. June 12, 1824, m., Jan. i, 1856, 
Harriet, dau. of Capt. Seth Rice, lives in Cedar 
Rapids, Iowa. Hannah, wife of Stephen, Jr., d. in 
Northboro Aug. 8, 1824; he m., 2d, Dolly Longley, 
wid. of Ira B. and dau. of Daniel and Dolly Carter. 
Both d. in Berlin — he March 24, 1867; she Feb. 28, 
1870. 

Elijah C. Shattiick\ vStephen", Stephen', Samuer, 
SamueV, Samuer, William', b. in Marlboro, m. Olive 
C, dau. of Levi Wheeler, Sept. 25, 1848. They had 



494 HISTORY OF THE 

Georg-e M., b. Jan, 19, 1850; Miranda Grace, b. July 
29, 1858, d. Jan. 6, 1862; Clara L., b. July 9, 1863; 
Mary Isabelle C, b. April 19, 1868. He moved to 
Berlin in 1852 and was in the shoe business a num- 
ber of years ; bought the house built by Mrs. Abram 
Babcock, near Chandler Carter's, where he lived 
thirty-three years; he then sold out and moved into 
the Fuller house in Carterville, where he now lives. 

Harhvcll Sliattuck\ s. of Edmund" of Francestown, 
N. H., came to Berlin in 1862, m., Aug. 18, 1863, 
Mary E., dau. of Charles and Lucy (Wheeler) Snow. 
They had Charles Hartwell, Lucy Lincoln, George 
Andrew, who d. in infancy, and Henry Snow. Hart- 
well d. Aug. 5, 1873, and Mary d. May 23, 1877, each 
at the age of 38 yrs. 

George Marshall Sliattuck*, s. of Elijah C.'.m., May, 
1870, Sarah Abbie, dau. of Albert and Mary 
(Sawyer) Babcock. Children : Sarah Bigelow and 
Pierson Howland. He d. May 20, 1876; his wid. m. 
Joseph Stratton and now lives in Hudson. 

SHEPHERD. 

Stephen Shepherd, trader in part of present resi- 
dence of George Felton, m,, April 17, 1820, Lucy 
Goodnow of West Boylston, where he rem. 

Cyrus Shepherd, bro. to above and to first wife of 
Zenas Johnson, went as missionary to the Flathead 
Indians, Oregon, where he d. after years of labor ; 
his wid. returned to Lynn ; Cyrus and sister were 
brought up in the family of Solomon Howe; Cyrus 
and W. A. Howe planted the noble elms just west 
of the Peters house. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 495 

SMALL. 

Charles E. Small, h. Feb. 3, 1863, from Gardner, 
Me., m. Lucy J. Randall, dau. of Paul A., Nov. 11, 
1886 ; lives on her father's place in old house. Had 
Ralph B., b. Jan. 11, 1S89; Myron R., b. July 21, 
1890. 

SMITH. 

Oliver Smith, b. Oct. 3, 1803, s. of David and 
grands, of John vSmith of Marlboro, m. Selina E. 
Hixon April 20, 1826; res. in Carterville; built the 
house now owned by the Central R. R. Co. Had 
Addison Gilbert, b. July i, 1829, was a graduate of 
Harvard College, class of i860, was a teacher in 
high schools, d. Nov. 16, 1874, unm. ; also they had 
Sarah Jane, b. May 10, 1836, m.. May, 1854, Erastus 
O. Sawyer, s. of Daniel Sawyer from Bolton, he d., 
and Sarah J., his wid., res. in the south part and is 
still engaged in teaching. Oliver d. Aug. 22, 1865 ; 
Selina, his wid., d. Sept. 19, 1871. 

Calvin Smith, s. of Calvin and grands, of John 
Smith above named, m. Eusebia, dau. of James God- 
dard, 2d; she d. Dec. 5, 1841 ; m., 2d, Rebecca, wid. 
of Theodore Nourse, and sister of Eu.sebia; he lived 
in the south part on the Newsome place. Had by 
Eusebia, Francena, m. John Johnson ; Calvin, b. July 
II, 1833; James G., b. Aug. 13, 1836; Stephen, 
b. Dec. 23, 1838. By Rebecca had Angenette, b. 
Nov. II, 1843, d. Nov. 16, 1876 ; Charles, b. 1846, d. 
1851. He d. in Nelson, N. H., Dec. 5, 1883. Rebecca 
d. in Hudson Dec. 6, 1879. 

David Smith m., Aug. 11, 181 5, Catherine Chace, 
sister of Mrs. Roswell Bliss. Children : Richard 



496 HISTORY OF THE- 

R., b. Dec. 7, 18 17, m. Julia E. Burrill of Lynn, 
who, after his death, m. Pliny B. Southwick ; David 
Anthony; also Anna and Lydia, who retained the 
homestead now owned by Sewell Merrill. Mr. 
Smith of the Society of Friends was among the 
earliest of the town School Committee. 

Riley Smith, s. of Asa, b. in Lunenburg, Vt., Aug.- 
19, 1 82 1, m., Aug. 16, 1846, Eleanor C, dau. of Asa 
Carter, who was b. in Berlin May 10, 1798, and d. 
here Oct. 3, 1850. Riley was ourprincipal blacksmith 
for twenty-five years or more ; he was engaged in trade 
at the R. S. Hastings store in 1874-79; rem. to Hud- 
son Nov. 26, 1879, ^i^d. carried on blacksmithing 
there till Jan. 20, 1888, the time of his death. Had 
Addie C, b. May 8, 1848, m. Austin F. Smith of 
Fitchburg Jan. 4, 1871 ; Charles A., b. May 8, 1850, 
d. Oct. 8, 1886; Nellie C, b. Feb. 18, 1868. 

SNOW. 

Ansel L. Snow, b. in Nantucket, m. Hannah M., 
dau. of Henry D. Coburn, Nov. 28, 1852; he settled 
on the place now owned by Granville Butler ; was a 
soldier in the late war; a shoemaker. He d. June 
18, 1874; wife d. Oct. 27, 1872. Had Irene Estella, 
b. Feb. 17, 1854, d. Oct. 19, 1855; Jesse C, b. April 
7, 1856, m. Percey Johnson in 1875, she d. July, 
1876; Henry Clifton, b. Jan. 16, 1859; Elmer E., b. 
Jan. 2, 1862, d. in California unm., Dec. 14, 1887. 

Henry C. Snow, s. of Ansel L., m. Annie Cox of N. 
S. Shed. 1887. He d. May 12, 1893. Had Elmer 
A., b. Nov. 6, 1886. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 497 

SOUTHWICK. 

Personal names often suggest much public history. 
We have two such connecting us with Salem witch- 
craft and the Quaker persecution — Nourse and 
Southwick. The foundation head of the American 
Southwicks is Lawrence and Cassandra ; they were 
bap. in the Salem Church Feb. 24, 1639, about ten 
years from the settlement ; they were the first sepa- 
ratists from the church some years later in 1656, an 
influx of the Quaker sect or followers of George Fox 
having arrived. Of all who suffered persecution 
these two seem to have been really the most gentle 
and Christian-like in their peculiar views and bear- 
ings ; thev were not of those who suffered death, as 
some four others did ; they were banished and d. in 
want and suffering on Shelter island. David South- 
wick, the first Berlin Southwick, was of the fifth 
generation: Lawrence', Daniel", Lawrence", Law- 
rence', David'. It is somewhat singular that two 
others of Berlin names so far back as that date are 
associated at least with the sufferers. Then, too, as 
later, they were mixed by marriage — Gaskill and 
Holder; Gaskill was a preacher. vSamuel Gaskill in 
1662 m. Provided, dau. of Lawrence and Cassandra. 
The persecution of the Quakers began about the 
time of the founding of Lancaster, witchcraft 
persecution later in 1690-95. 

We yield the foremost position to the Quakers in 
their ideas of the rights of conscience. We are 
tolerant, too, of the religious frenzy of those who 
certainly seemed to court persecution and martyrdom. 
It is small palliation of the cruelties inflicted to show 



498 HISTORY OF THE 

up the small provocations on the part of those who 
were condemned to punishment. 

David Soiithwick oi the fifth generation, b. March 
24, 1754, m., April 16, 1779, Elizabeth Sweet, or 
Swett, as sometimes written; he d. April 16, 18 19; 
he came to town about 1780 and settled on the place 
now owned by Paul A. Randall ; vStephen Sweet, 
probably the father of his wife, lived on the same 
place with him. Had Tamson, b. March 19, 1780, 
m., Feb. 5, 1807, John Hoag, he d. April 10, 1807; 
Stephens., b. July 12, 1781; Hulda, b. April 6, 
1783, d. Oct. 22, 1800; Hannah, b. Feb. 20, 1785, d. 
April 23, 1809; David, Jr., b. Jan. 11, 1787, m. Jan., 
1 809, Polly Coolidge, was killed by powder blast in 
the Bolton lime-kilns April 26, 1826; Georg-e, b. 
April 10, 1789, rem. to Upper Canada about 1818, 
d. there; Elizabeth, b. Jan. 11, 1791 ; Daniel, b. June 
2, 1793, rem. to Upper Canada in 18 18; Elisha, b. 
March 31, 1795 ; Mary,b. April 23, 1797, d. Aug. 30, 
1797: Mary, b. Oct. 27, 1798, m., Nov. 5, 18 19, 
Timothy Varney of Kennebunk, Me. ; Marmaduke, 
b. Dec. 23, 1800, d. at Centreville, vSt. Joseph county, 
Mich., March 24, 1870, unm., was a blacksmith and 
a very genial man; Ruth, b. May 17, 1804, d. in 
Berlin unm. 

Stephen S. Sout/nvick, s. of David, m., Oct. 28, 1806, 
Mary, dau. of Jonathan Wheeler, Jr. ; he settled 
where the wid. of Reuben A. Wheeler now res. 
Had Milton, b. July 26, 1807, d. in infancy; Sylvester, 
b. Jan, 25, 181 1, d. June 29, 18 12; Meriam, b. Oct. 
29, 18 1 2, m. Thomas W. Wheeler of Bolton; Pliny, 
b. Dec. 5, 1 8 14, d. July 18, 18 16; Willard, b. April 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 499 



7, 1817, m., April 5, i860, Sarah C, dau. of Thomas 
Fry of Bolton, he d. Feb. 22, 1877 ; Daniel, b. June 
18, 1819, d. June 29, 1834; Pliny B., b. Sept. 7, 
1821; George M., b. June 25, 1824, d. March S, 
1846; Stephen H., b. March 9, 1827 ; Jonathan D., 
b. April 29, 1 83 1, m., Nov. 29, 1855, Jerusha, dau. 
of Nathaniel King, res. near the homestead of his 
father, house built by his bro., Stephen H. 

Pliny B. Sout/nvick, s. of Stephen S., m., Oct. 3, 1850, 
Mary J., dau. of Leonard and Abigail Hartwell; she 
d. April 4, 1867; m., 2d, Feb. 24, 1868, Julia E. 
(Burrill) Smith, dau. of Nathaniel Burrill of Lynn ; 
she d. Jan. 5, 1885, res., Carterville. Had George 
Milton, b. Jan. 4, 1857; Lilla Maria, b. May 19, i860, 
m. Charles D. Eager; Mary Susan, b. Aug. 29, 1866, 
m. Christopher S. White ; children all b. in Hope- 
dale. 

Stephen Hanson Southwick, s. of Stephen S., m. 
Sophia H. Whitcomb of Bolton; he settled on the 
place now owned by his bro., Jonathan D. ; built that 
house. Had Edward E., b. July 7, 1853, m. and res. 
at Nashua, N. H.; Chester, b. May 26, 1855, m. 
Hattie Ayers of Clinton. 

George M. Sout/nvick, s. of Pliny B., m., Jan. 9, 1878, 
Addie Adelia, dau. of William B. Carter, res., Marl- 
boro. Had Harry B., b. July 28, 1878; Carl A., b. 
Nov. 23, 1879, she d. July 26, 1889. 

Elisha Sonthwick, s. of David, Sr., m. Lydia 
Houghton, dau. of Abel of Hudson, b. March 20, 
i8o3;he d. Aug. 13, 1830; she d. Sept. 20, 1852; 
rem. to Upper Canada ; returned to Berlin and d. 



500 HISTORY OF THE 

there Aug. 13, 1830. Had Earl, b. July 23, 1822; 
in March, 1837, he changed his name to George 
Houghton, res., Hudson; Sarah, b. April 28, 1825, 
d. May 6, 1853, m. Rufus Williams Sept. 20, 1841, 
one child living; Freeman, b. Dec. 9, 1846; Abel, b. 
March 4, 1826, d. Aug. 5, 1847. 

Earl Southwick (George Houghton) m., June 10, 
1845, Sophia Morse; she d. Nov. 29, 1857; m., 2d, 
April 10, 1858, Clarinda Miller; she d. June 9, 1876. 
Had Sophia E., b. Oct., 1847, d. Aug. 5, 1864. 
Had by Clarinda, Charles M., b. May 3, i860; Willie 
A., b. Dec. 10, 1 86 1, d. Dec. 5, 1863; Hattie S., b. 
May 21, 1864, d. June 28, 1887; Frank S., b. May 13, 
1867, d. Feb., 1868; Herbert A., b. .Sept. 8. 1869; 
Lizzie G., b. .Sept. 4, 1871, d. Oct. 23, 1888; 
infant, b. June 9, 1876, d. Sept. 23, 1876. The 
subject of this sketch, though not a resident 
of this town since his boyhood, is of Berlin 
stock, and is connected with some of the more influ- 
ential and respected families here. There can be no 
question but that he has been an important factor 
in the growth and development of our neighboring 
town- of Hudson, hence his name deserves more than 
a passing notice on these pages. By his enterprise 
and perseverance he rose from the shoe bench to be 
one of the larger shoe manufacturers of this vicinity. 
He was the founder of the large tanning and curr\'- 
ing establishment there, besides he contributed to 
the upbuilding of other industries which have made 
the Hudson of to-day a place of far more importance 
as a business centre than it would have been but for 
the labors, push and enterprise of George Houghton. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 501 

Enoch Southwick, of the fifth generation from Law- 
rence and cousin of David of Berlin, b. April 4, 1753, 
m. Mary Sweet 1778; res. while here was where John 
Collins now lives ; rem. to Richmond, N. H., about 
1802, thence rem. to the Holland purchase 181 1. 
Had Cynthia, b. June 17, 1779. m. John BoUes; 
Nancy, b. Aug. 18, 1780, m. Hosea Eddy; Betsey, b. 
Feb. 20, 1782, m. George Harkness; Abigail, b. 
March 2, 1784; Jesse, b. Dec. 14, 1785 ; Stephen, b. 
Feb. 2, 1788; Hannah, b. Aug. 29, 1789; Mary, b. 
Sept. 20, 1 791; Amey, b. July 26, 1 793 ; Elizabeth, 
b. March 24, 1795 ; Enoch, b. March 12, 1797 ; Hulda, 
b. July 18, 1799; Watson, b. 1801, d. 18 19. 

Chester Southivick m. Hattie M. Ayers Nov. 23, 
1881. Had Minnie May, b. Dec. i, 1882, d. March 
18, 1885. Chester d. Sept. 30, 1884. 

SPOFFORI). 

Job and Samuel Spofford, formerly written 
Spafford, who settled here, were the ancestors of 
all the family name who have res. in Berlin. 
They were the sons of Samuel Spofford, who 
settled in \,\\c north part of Boylston, killed in 
a clay pit in that town, and he was a descendant of 
John vSpofford. who settled in Rowley in 1643. 

Job Spofford, s. of Samuel of Boylston, m., Nov. 
21, 1776, Esther, dau. of David Taylor; he settled 
on the farm now owned by Elisha Bassett ; this place 
was owned earlier by Samuel Jones, Sr. ; he was in 
the battle of Bunker Hill and performed other 
military service during the Revolutionary war; he 
was deacon of the First Church in Berlin thirty-one 



502 HISTORY OF THE 

years ; built the brick house now on the premises. 
He d. March 21, 1840, at 87 ; wid. d. May 15, 1849, 
at 90. Had David, b. Aug. 8, 1777; Betsey, b. Feb. 
12, 1779, m. Augustus Bigelow; Sally, b, Aug. i, 
1 78 1, m. Uriah Sawyer, res., Ohio; Samuel, b. Aug. 
7, 1783, m.. May 24, 1808, Betsey Fosgate, he d. 
Oct. 7, 1822; his wid. m. Josiah Bride; Job, b. Oct. 
17, 1785; Benjamin Franklin, b. June 30, 1789; 
EvSther, b. Jan. 7, [793. 

Capt. Samuel Spofford, s. of Samuel of Boylston, m. 
Eunice, dau. of James Goddard, S. V., Jan. 30, 1785 ; 
he settled on the Andrew McElwain farm, now owned 
by his granddau., Mrs. Mary S. Morse. Had James, 
b. 1785, d. 1790; Sally, b. March 15, 1786, m. Men- 
dall Fosgate 1803, he d., she m., 2d, John Eager of 
Northboro; Eunice, b. July 18, 1 791, m. Amos Keyes 
of Northboro; James R., b. Nov. 2, 1789, d. 1795; 
Samuel, b. Oct. 30, 1795; Job, b. 1798, d. 1801; 
Betsey, b. Nov. 3, 1802, m. James Goddard, 3d; 
Emerson, b. 1804, m., 1825, Mrs. Catherine (Witt) 
Tenney of Marlboro, she d., he m., 2d, Mary Temple, 
had one s., Oliver, lived in West Boylston; Emerson 
d. 1863, his wid. d. 1884. 

Capt. Samuel Spofford, Jr., s. of the above, m., Dec. 
21, 1817, Mary, dau. of Silas Sawyer, Sr., she d. 

March 21, 18 19, leaving an infant d., ; hem., 

2d, Betsey, dau. of John Sawyer of Bolton March 
30, 1 82 1, Had James Richardson, b. Sept. 21, 
1821 ; Mary Sawyer, b. June 25, 1828. Capt. Samuel 
retained the homestead and d. there April 9, 1858; 
wid., Betsey, d. Feb. 26, 1879. 

Benjamin F. Spofford, s. of Dea. Job Spofford, m. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 5^3 

Polly, dau. of Dea. Amos Sawyer, June 28, 1821 ; he 
retained the homestead until 1844; rem. to North- 

boro. Had Persis, b. . m. Amory Carter, Jr. ; 

Caroline, b. , d. unm. Nov. 3, 1842, age 18; 

Benjamin F., Jr.,b. 1828, d. in the late war ; Amanda, 
b. March 9, 1833, m. John McDonald, res., Califor- 
nia ; Clarendon, b. 1 83 1, d. 1853, age 21. Wife, 
Polly, d. April 25, 1845 ; he m., 2d, Lucy Pannenter 
of Northboro; she d. 1873 ; he d. Sept. 12, 1878. 

James R. Spofford, s. of Samuel, Jr., m. Olive B., 
dau. of Israel Woodbury of Bolton, Oct. 16, 1850, 
res. in west part on the Jesse Jewett place. Had 
Herbert E., b. Sept. 5, i^S^ m. Mabel Rawson of 
Hudson April 27, 1876; Walter R., b. April 13, 
1853, d. Aug. 5, 1888; Elmer F., b. Jan. 6, 1855, m. 
Flora, dau. of Henry Holden, res.. Turner's Falls ; 
Clarence "E., b. Sept. 12, 1858; Flora B., b. March 31, 
1862; Philander W., b. Aug. 4, 1864, d. Nov. 4, 
1892; Orrin L., b. Dec. 23, 1866, res., New Haven, 
Conn. James R. d. ^larch 19, 1880; wid., Olive, d. 
Feb. 26, 1883. 

Clari'itcc E. Spofford, s. of James R., m. Lizzie J., 
dau. of Alfred C. Derby, :^Iay 18, 1891 ; res. on the 
homestead of his father. 

STARKEY. 

AHthcmv S. Starkey, s. of Peter of Troy, N. H., m. 
Martha, dau. of Sewell Bruce, April 7, 1835; res. in 
west part; farm laborer. Had Charles D., b. July 
18, 1838. Wifed. July 7, 1850; he m., 2d, Eliza 
Starkey of Swanzey, N. H., she d. July 11, 1874 ; he 



504 HISTORY OF THE 

m., 3d, Lynda Taft of Swanzey, N. H.. Sept. 6, 1876, 
she d. He d. Aug. 13, 1893, at 83. 

Charles D. Star key, s. of Anthony S., m. Lticinda 
E., daii. of Curtis Sargent. Had Thirza J., b. Dec. 
17, i860, d. March 6, 1861 ; Alice J., b. Dec. 5, 1861 ; 
he was a soldier in the late war; d. at Newbern, N. 
C, May 26, 1863. His wid. m. Dana M. Larkin. 

STAPLES. 

Joseph Staples, s. of David, b. in Portland, Me., 
March 10, 18 19, m. Sarah E. Lunt, b. June 26, 1818 ; 
came to Berlin in 1854; lives near the Centre on the 
old Boylston road ; was a soldier in the war ; by trade 
a shoemaker. Had Augustus Milton, b. May 28, 
1843, res., Northboro; Charles F., b, June 17, 1847, 
res., Leominster; Josiah W., b. July 26, 1851, m. 
Rosa A. Foster May 23, 1869, they had George W., 
b. Feb. 14, 1870, m. May M. Osgood Dec. 31, 1891. 

STETSON. 

Warren I. Stetson, s. of William of Marlboro, b. 
June 16, 1844, m. Clara T. Richmond, of Nashua, 
N. H. ; came to Berlin in 1868 ; was a soldier in the 
late war; was wounded in the battle of Spottsylvania ; 
by trade a machinist ; foreman in Parker's shoe shop. 
Had Grace W., b. Aug. 17, 1869; Frederick R. H., 
b. Jan. 20, 1871 ; Florence E., b. May 21. 1878; 
Blanche M., b. June 26, 1879; Roy A., b. June 16, 
1884, d. Feb. 10, 1886. He d. March 19, 1887; 
familv rem. to Worcester in 1 892. 



I 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 505 

STONE. 

Isaac S. Stone, s. of Isaac of Boylston, m. Martha A. 
Farmer, dau. of Jesse of Chelmsford, res. in east part 
at Stone's Corner, and by her had Homer E., b. June 
20, 1843, was a rare mechanic and draughtsman, 
was a soldier in the late war, d. July 24, 1864; Mar>^ 
Ann, b. Oct. 5, 1844, m. John L. Bruce; Isaac, b. 
vSept. 20, 1846, d. young; Henry A., b. May 24, 1850. 
Wife, Martha, d. May 4, 1855; he m., 2d, Mary A. 
Farmer in 1856; she d. June 29, 1871, at 68 jx^. ; he 
d. March 25, 1883, at 76. 

Henry A. Stone, s. of Isaac vS. of Berlin, m. Ruth E., 
dau. of Tyler Paine; he is a machinist; res., Stone's 
Corner. Had Olive A., b. Jan. 13, 1877. Wife, 
Ruth, d. March 4, 1883 ; he m., 2d, Hattie L. Coolidge 
Oct. 13, 1883. Had by Hattie L., Homer L., b. Sept. 
23, 1884. 

STR.\TTO\. 

Samuel Stratton, b. in Rindge, N. H., 1840, went to 
Grafton, Mass., 1848; has lived there most of the 
time since; m. Lticinda, dau. of Horace Bigelow, 
1859; they came to BerHn in 1892 and occupy her 
father's place near the Centre ; have seven children 
now living. 

Joseph Stratton, s. of Lorenzo of Hudson, b. April 
22,1842. m. Sarah A. (Babcock) Shattuck, dau. of 
Albert Babcock and wid. of George Marshall Shat- 
tuck, June 8, 1875; lived on her father's place in 
Carterville; rem. to Hudson in 1894. Had Albert 
L., b. June 20, 1882; Mary G., b. June 25, i 



5o6 



HISTORY OF THE 



SWEET. 

Stephen Sweet (or Swett) was one of the early set- 
tlers ; came to town with David Southwick, who m. 
his dau., Elizabeth. Had Mary, who m. Enoch 
Southwick ; he and David lived together on the place 
first settled by Francis McFadin, now owned by Paul 
A. Randall; he was a member of the Friends' 
Society ; no other record. 

TAFT. 

Walter A. Taft, s. of Millens Taft of Uxbridge, 
res. on Wheeler hill with his mother, Mrs. Reuben 
A. Wheeler, came to Berlin in 1891 ; m. Esther 
Clarkson May i, 1884. Had Ada F., b. April 5, 
1885 ; Millens W., b. Nov. 17, 1887. 

Henry A. Taft, from Uxbridge, m. Elizabeth F. 
Wheeler, wid. of Elisha T. Wheeler; lived on the 
Elisha T. Wheeler place ; returned to Uxbridge and 
there d. ; his wid. res. in town with her dau., Grace. 



TAYLOR. 

David Taylor, s. of Eleazer of Marlboro and great 
grands, of William Taylor, m., April 8, 1746, Hasa- 
diah Wheeler of Marlboro ; he lived on the Job 
Spofford farm, now Elisha Bassett's. The Hapgoods, 
into which the father of David m., were nearer 
Hudson. Wife d. 1754; no child; m., 2d, 1756, 
Esther Jones of Marlboro ; her father, Samuel, 
lived on our Elisha Bassett place at that time. Had 
Hannah, b. 1760, d, 1823; Lucy, b. 1762. He d, 
here Aug. 30, 1795, at 72 ; Esther, wid., d. June 10, 
1801, at 74. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 5<*7 

Arad Taylor, s. of Luke Taylor of AVaterloo, Canada 
East, b. Oct. 16, 1842, m. Laura Ella, dau. of Capt. 
John D. Merrill, Oct. 22, 1870; res. on Wheeler 
hill the place before owned and occupied by wife's 
parents. Had John E., b. July 13, 1871 •< Melissa J., 
b. May 19, 1878; May Winnifred, b. Dec. 11, 1885. 

The most tragic and sorrowful event that ever 
took place in this town occurred on the morning of 
the eleventh day of September, 1895. Arad Taylor, 
in a fit of passion or insanity, killed his wife by 
repeated blows with an axe on her head. The incit- 
ing and immediate cause of this horrid murder may 
no't be known until after a legal investigation of the 
case. He is now in Worcester jail awaiting the 
action of the grand jury. For twenty-five years or 
more he has been largely eagaged in cutting off lots 
of wood and lumber in this and other towns near by. 

JohuE. Tavlor, s. of Arad, m., March 24, 1893, 
Laura A., dau. of Robert B. Wheeler; did live at his 
father's place on Wheeler hill ; is a railroad employee. 

TEMPLE. 

John Temple was an early settler on Wheeler hill, 
north of James Brewer's, 1788. 

Isaac Temple, from Boylston, was living on the 
Edward Flagg place in 1831, d. here Oct. 6, 1831, at 
39; wid., Lucy, d. Jan. 26, 1834, at 37. 

TENNEY. 

The name of Tenney is much mixed up with our 
Joneses : they seem to have led our emigration to 
Marlboro and Jaffrey, N. H. From the history of 



5o8 HISTORY OF THE 

the latter town we learn that Thomas Tenney, b. in 
Rowley, Eng., 1614, came over in 1638 with wife, Ann. 
They had John, b. 1640; John had Samuel, b. 1667; 
Samuel had Samuel, b. 1697, m., 1720, and settled 
in Littleton in 1727, d. in i 'j'j'j ; William, s. of vSamuel, 
2d, b. in Littleton in 1749, m. Mehitable, dau. of our 
Samuel Jones, 2d, 1772 ; Jonathan, s. of William and 
Mehitable, m., 1803, Betsey, dau. of Samuel Jones, 
4th. rem. to Landsgrove, Vt., where they had Lyman, 
b. 1804; Archie Tenney, bro of Jonathan, m., 1809, 
Susanna, sister to Betsey, rem. to Keene; their s., 
William, still resident. The William Tenney who 
d. here in 1867, aged 95 yrs. 7 inos. 6 days, b., there- 
fore, in 1772, was doubtless s. of William and 
Mehitable, by Bolton records was b. Oct. 15, 1771 ; 
William Henry Tenney, m. in Berlin Dec. 16, 1883, 
to Sarah F. Grant of vSomerville, is recorded as s. of 
William and Betsey, and b. in Marlboro, N. H., 
1837; Betsey, a dau. of Silas Fife, b, in Marlboro, N. 
H., 1775, m. a William Tenney, perhaps a grands, 
of Betsey Fife; Jonathan and Betsey had, b. 1804, 
Lyman ; wife of Samuel Gage on the Newsome 
place was dau. of William Tenney, Sr., and b. on 
our Timothy Jones place; William Tenney, Jr., m. 
a dau. of Robert Fife, who also pitched his cabin in 
Monadnock No. 5, which developed into Marlboro 
and Troy, N. H.; .she d. and he m., 2d, Betsey 
(Tenney) Lewis, mother of Mrs. Henry Bigelow. 

THOMPSON. 

Dr. John L. S. Thompson in. Mary, dau. of Rev. 
William Nash of West Boylston; was here i830-'40 ; 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 509 

rem. to Bolton, thence to Lancaster; had extensive 
practice; d. in Lancaster in 1885 ; was a pupil of Dr. 
Carter. 

TISDALE. 

James Tisdalc, from Clinton, m. Jane E. — ■■ ; 

she d. Aug. 11, 1863, at 76; he lived in West Berlin 
on the place now of George H. Felton; rem. to 
Clinton. 

TOWNSEND. 

James Toiunsemi, or James, Jr., m. Hannah, dau. of 
Amos Meriam ; was first settler on a place north of 
Francis Babcock's; sold to Jotham Maynard, Jr., 
1783; buildings gone long ago. 

TURNER. 

Joseph Turner, from Newton, b. Oct. 14, 1834, s. of 
Robert, m. Harriet M., dau. of Samuel Stone, March 
2, 1863 ; came to Berlin in 1867; res. on the Daniel 
Williams place, first settled by William Babcock. 
Had Carrie S., b. Feb. 17, 1865. 

TVI.ER. 

The Tylers of this town are descendants of Moses 
Tyler, b. in Attleboro 1750, emigrated to Richmond, 
N. H., 1775 ; he had a s., Moses, who occupied the 
paternal homestead and his oldest s., Danford, settled 
in Warwick, Mass., and was the father of James D. 
and ^I. Reed Tyler of BerUn. 

James D. Tyler, b. June 15, 1848, m. Anna S., dau. 
of Elisha Bassett; he res. with his father-in-law on 



5IO HISTORY OF THE 

the old Job Spofford farm; is a justice of the peace 
and was selectman i887-'88. Had Emily Grace, b. 
Dec. 23, 1889; Danford Bassett, b. Aug. 23, 1893. 

Moses Reed Tyler, b. June 19, 1850, m. Catherine, 
dau. of Edward Mayo of Warwick, now of North- 
boro; res. on the Dea. Oliver Sawyer farm, lately 
owned by Madam Rudersdoff and known as "Lake- 
side;" he and his bro., James D., built in 1885 the 
house now on the premises on the site of the old 
one burned in 1882; the surroundings of the place 
are attractive; the house is large and commodious, 
and designed especially for the accommodation of 
summer boarders. 

George IV. Tyler, b. April 10, 1857, s. of David 
Tyler, bro. of Danford of Warwick; George W. set- 
tled on the old Parks farm in 1883; m. Mrs. Lilla 
(Sibley) Wilton of Lawrence. Had David S., b. 
Sept. 29. 1889; Marion wS.,b. May 20, 1891 ; Charlotte 
S., b. March 10, 1893, d. young. 

UPHAM. 

Otis K. Uphain, s. of Willard, b. in Royalston Sept. 

17, 1843, m. Mary Ellen, dau. of Rufus Howe, Oct. 

18, 1866; moved here from Ashburnham in 1881, 
res., house next north of Silas R. Carter ; is 
section foreman on the Old Colony R. R. Had 
Lena E., b. Nov. 23, 1867, d. Feb. 13, 1885 ; Edgar 
O., b. Jan. 6, 1870, d. Dec. 14, 1870; Etta E., b. 
April 22, 1872; Ida May, b. June 9, 1874, d. Sept. 
10, 1874; Gracieiib. Aug. 25, 1877; Nettie L., b. 
Aug. 19, i88i,,^[^)ct. 17, 1 881; Dexter L., b. Aug. 
^4, 1883, d. Oct. ^, 1883. Wife d. Feb. 13, i: 











{' 



>> ^■ 



\5^.« 







MKS. K. 11. WIII'.tI.EK. 

WM. \V. WIIEELEK. 

KOBT. B. WMEELER. 

MR'S. SAM'L II. WIIEELEK. 



mks. e. whitney. 

mks. w.vi. w. wiieei.er. 

elisiia whitney. 

nath'i, wiikei.ek. 



MKS. H. II. WIIEELEK. 

SAM'L II. WHEELER. 

RllLS K. WHEELER. 
MKS. R. K. WHEELER. 



^■.^.^t;o/*C.. 



TOWN OF BERUN. 51I 

VINALS. 

Charles T. Jlnals, from Scituate, Pa., m. Mary E., 
dau. of Asa Carter; shoemaker; res., Hudson. Had 
Arthur L., b. March 3, 1857. 

WALCOTT, 

David K. Walcott, b. Dec. 15, 1837, s. of Temple 
of Bolton, m. Persis B., dau. of George Cutting; 
came to Berlin in 1 890 ; he was living on the Dakin 
place in 1894; he formerly owned the McPherson 
farm. Had Chester D., b. Aug. 20, 1879; Clifton 
H., b. Feb. 26, 1882. 

Rev. Robert Folger Walcott, b. in Nantucket; ordained 
here Feb. 10, 1830; m. Mary Ann Powers of Boston 
Sept., 1832, by whom he had Mary Ray, b. Sept. 17, 
1833 ; dismissed from pastorate Nov., 1833 ; his later 
years were on The Liberator, published by William 
Lloyd Garrison. He d. in Boston in 1882. 

WALKER. 

Benjamin S. Walker, s. of Abiel and Hannah 
(Smith) Walker of Loudon, N. H., b. July 25, 1844, 
was in the naval service in the late war; m., Dec. 
23, 1889, Flora J., adopted dau. of Daniel H. Carter; 
he lives with Mr. Carter and is section foreman on 
the Mass. Central R. R. 

WALLIS. 

John Wallis, b. in Exeter, N. H., m. Susan Parker 
of Reading; came here in 1836; lived on the Bow- 
man place. Had Benjamin, res., Waltham; John, 



512 HISTORY OF THE 

graduate of Amherst College, settled in Bolton, was 
representative to the General Court ; Jonas P., res., 
Sudbury; William, graduate of Dartmouth College, 
d, here March i, 1842; Mary Jane, d. here July 22, 
1848, at 26 yrs. ; Sereno, d. in Mexico. He d. here 
Jan. 29, 1865, at 82; wife d. July 22, 1856. The 
family were of English descent and of Puritan stock. 

WALTER. 

John E. Walter, s. of Theodore Walter, b. in New 
Jersey Sept. 17, 1863, m. Grace D. Crooker of Ded- 
ham ; he is partner with Henry E. Lasselle in the 
store at South Berlin. Had E. Thornton, b. May 
27, 1889; Faustina, b. Aug. 30, 1891. 

WIIKELER. 

It appears from legal documents in possession of 
the family and authentic papers furnished by Henry 
M. Wheeler of Worcester, who has spent much time 
in tracing the Wheeler genealogy in New England, 
that Jonathan'' Wheeler was the first one of the 
Wheeler name who settled in Berlin. He was b. in 
Lancaster July 3, 1720, s. of Jonathan and Mary. 
Jonathan' was the s. of Obadiah, Jr., b. in Concord 
165 I. He was the fifth child of Obadiah, who set- 
tled in Concord 1638, b. in England 1608, d. in 
Concord Oct. 29, 1671, the first settler of the name 
in New England. 

Jonaihati Wheeler, above mentioned, m. in Swan- 
sea, Mass., May 9, 175 i, Thankful, dau. of Abraham 
and Mehitable Baker ; a few years later he purchased 
the farm where Charles A. Otterson now lives; in 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 513 

the deed he is called a glazier, and for some years of 
his life we are told he was engaged in brick making 
in addition to the cultivation of his farm. His 
children were: Jonathan, b. April 6, 1752 ; Mary, b. 
Aug. 5, 1754, m., 1778, Thomas Watson, d. Jan. i, 
1807; vStephen, b. March, 1756; Peregrine, b. July 
4, 1759 ; Dinah, b. June 10, 1761, m. William Aldrich 
of Uxbridge May 7, 1789, d. Feb. 8, 1839; Thankful, 
b. Aug. 7, 1764, m. her cousin, Jonathan Baker of 
Swansea; Levi, b. April 29, 1768. Jonathan d. Aug. 
10, 1791 ; his wife. Thankful, d. Aug. 25, 1779. 

Joiiat/ian Whcclcr.Jr., s. of Jonathan, Sr., m. ]\Iary 
Buffum of vSmithfield, R. I., 1775; he settled on 
AVheeler hill on the place formerly owned by Jona- 
than F. Wheeler ; the old house was demolished in 
1859; another was built, but that and the barn went 
up in smoke about ten years ago. Had Daniel, b. Nov. 
I, 1776; Elizabeth, b. June i, 1779, m. Josiah Babcock 
of Bolton (came from Fitchburg) ; Ruth, b. Oct. 4, 
1780, m. Gideon Mowry of Uxbridge; Hannah, b. 
Dec. 2, 1782, d. unm. ; Mary, b. P'eb. i, 1785, m. 
Stephen S. Southwick ; Jonathan, b. May 13, 1787, 
m. Phebe Kimmins, res., Bolton; she d. at David B. 
Wheeler's in Berlin 1867. He d. ; wid. m. David 
Brayton. 

Stephen Wheeler, s. of Jonathan, Sr., m. JMeriam, 
dau. of Benjamin Baker; she d. and he m., 2d, 
Amity Brown Nov. i, 1798; he settled on the place 
now owned by ^Mrs. George Farwell; the records of 
the family are scanty. Had by his wife, IMeriam, 
Benjamin, b. Nov. 27, 1780, d. young; Jonathan, b. 
Feb. 16, 1783, d. young; Stephen, b. Feb. 15, 1785, 



5 14 HISTORY OF THE 

d. in Keene, N. H. ; Meriam, b. July 22, 1787, d. 
unm. ; Joseph, b. Dec. 22, 1794, m. Betsey Prime, 
res. in Winchester and Keene, N. H. Had by 
Amity, Mary, b. Dec. 3, 1799, d. in 1826; Jesse, b. 
Jan. 31, 1802; Jarvis, b. March 16, 1805; Elizabeth, 
b. Jan. 15, 1807; Jonathan, b. Aug. 10, 18 10, settled 
in Bolton. He d. Feb. 4, 1827 ; his wife. Amity, d. 
Oct. 5, 1850. 

Peregrine Wheeler, s. of Jonathan, m. vSarah, dau. of 
Stanton Carter; he settled on a farm adjoining his 
father's, where Elias L. Wheeler now lives, but 
finally rem. to Richmond, N. H., 1801. Had Thank- 
ful, b. here 1800, d. here, had after removal, Levi, 
b. 1802. She d. about 1803 ; he d. 1824. 

Levi Wlieeler, s. of Jonathan, Sr., b. April 29, 1768, 
m. Mary, dau. of Stanton Carter, April 12, 1792; she 
d. June I, 1813; he m., 2d, Olive Colburn of Wilton, 
N. H., July 2, 1 8 14; he spent his life on the farm 
inherited from his father, since owned by his sons, 
Samuel H..and Elisha T. ; the house stood on the 
spot where Mr. Otterson now resides ; was a thrifty 
farmer, and often went to Boston market with the 
products of his farm. Had by his wife, Mary, Amos 
b. Dec. 27, 1792; Lucy, b. Feb. 22, 1794, d. Nov. 30 
1794; Peregrine, b. Oct. 10, 1796; Mary, b. Aug. 12 
1798, d. Nov. 21, 1850; Rhoda, b. Ma}^ 26, 1800, ra 
John Timson of Northboro, d. April 7, 1877 ; Levi, b 
March 20, 1803 ; Lucy, b. April 21, 1806, m. Charles 
Snow; Sarah, b. Sept. 16, 1809, m. Frederick D 
Killam. By wife, Olive, had Samuel H., b. Dec. 22 
181 5 ; Elisha T., b. Dec. 6, 1817; Jonathan, b. Feb 
22, 1820; Lois, b. Nov. 2, 1822, m. William Holder 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 5 t 5 

George C, b. Nov. 5, 1826; Olive C, b. April 4, 
1829, m. Elijah C. Shattuck. He d. Feb. 27, 1835 ; 
his wife, Olive, d. Nov. 25, 1875, age 89. 

Daniel Wheeler, s. of Jonathan, Jr., m. Abigail, 
dau. of John Fry of Bolton; he occupied the home- 
stead of his father on Wheeler hill. Had John, b. 
June 17, 1803 ; Elizabeth, b. June 9, 1806, d. young; 

Mary, b. Feb. 22, 1809, d. ; vSabra, b. Nov. 8, 

181 1, m. William W. Wheeler; Merriam, b. -, 

d. 1828; Daniel, Jr., b. ' June i, 18 14, d. ; 

Jonathan Fry, b. Nov. 8, 181 5 ; Melissa, b. June 20, 
18 19, m. Jonathan Wheeler, s. of Levi, m., 2d, Capt. 
John D. Merrill; Alpheus, b. April 8, 1822; Abby 
E., b. Sept. 9, 1826, m. Joseph Merrill, m., 2d, James 
B. Hartley. He d. Jan. 17, 1853, at 76 yrs. ; wid., 
Abigail, d. May 24, 1875, at 92 yrs. 4 mos. 18 days. 

Jolui Wheeler, s. of Daniel, m. Betsey Jones of 
Leominster Oct. 12, 1829; he settled on Wheeler hill 
on a part of the homestead of his father and built a 
house on the same; the place is now owned by 
Thomas C. Berry. Had DeUtia A., b. July 12, 1828, 
m. Abraham G. Bigelow of Princeton Nov. 27, 1850; 
Amasa Gilbert J., b. Oct. 6, 1830, d. 1839; L. Mar- 
shall, b. June 10, 1833, m. Harriet F. Fitch of Sterling, 
res., Fitchburg; Carrie E., b. Sept. 29. 1835, m. Elliot 
Ball Sept. 20, 1855, res.. Boston; Abby F., b. June 
7, 1838, m. Andrew Fitch of Sterling, d. Mar. 21, 
1893; Oriana E., b. Dec. 17, 1844, m. Wyman C. 
Fickett, a high school teacher, graduate of Tufts 
College and superintendent of schools in Spencer ; 
Amanda M., b. Feb. 2, 1847, m. George A. Ellis, res., 
Leominster; Mary L., b. Jan. 29, 1840, d. Feb. 25, 



5l6 HISTORY OF THE 

1844; Dennis E., b. Feb. 28, 185 1, m. Mary Dilly 
Carter, dan. of Oliver Carter, April 22, 1875, res., 
Leominster; Albert B., b. May 5, 1843, ^- Feb. 28, 
1844. He d. June 13, 1856; wid., Betsey, d. Feb. 7, 
1872. 

Jcviathaji F. Wheeler, s. of Daniel, m. Jemima, dau. 
of Capt. John D. Merrill, Nov. 6, 185 i ; he remained 
on his father's old place until he rem. to Marlboro 
about twenty years a^o ; res. now Chelsea ; Sherman 
Wheeler now owns the place ; the buildings were 
burned some years ago. Had Marilla Evora, b. Aug. 
28, 1852, d. young; Josephine, b. 1854, d. Dec. 12, 
1855; Cora M., b. June 18, 1855, m. John Cole of 
Marlboro; Emma A., b. April 11, 1857, m. Felix 
Blanchard; Floretta A., b. Feb. 10, 1859, ^- Wm. 
H. Reeley; Eva Lunette, b. Dec. i, 1861, m. Charles 
W. Parker. 

Joseph Wheeler, s. of Stephen, who emigrated to 
New Hampshire and d. in Keene, had two sons, 
Oliver P. and Nathaniel, wdio returned to town, 
hence their families are upon our records. Had 
others, res. elsewhere. 

Jesse Wheehr, s. of Stephen, m. ALary Aldrich of 
Smithlield, R. L; he lived on the farm now owned 
by Joseph J. Randall, formerly known as the "Priest 
place." Had Thomas A., b. Jan. 10, 1825, m. Susan 
C. Randall, she d. Aug. 4, 1866, m., 2d, Hannah 
Kelly of Worcester, he lives in Bolton on the James 
Fry place; had by Susan, Alice M. and Abbott R., — 
by Hannah had Jesse A. and Ellwood O. ; Joanna 
H., b. vSept. 27, 1826, m. Josiah C. Babcock, m., 2d, 
Amos Kimmins of Bolton; vSusan E., b. Jan. 16, 1828, 



TOWN OF BERLIN'. 5 I J 

m. Amos Wheeler, Jr., she lives in Bolton; Jesse B., 
b. June 30, 1829, m. Martha Sykes, m., 2d, Dorcas 
Aldrich of Uxbridg-e, he lived on the Thomas Fry 
place in Bolton and was representative to the Gen- 
eral Court at the time of his death, May 24, 1886; 
had Arthur Y., Walter J. (d. voung). Homer J., by 
wife Martha; Stephen L., b. Aug. 18, 1832, d. in in- 
fancy. He d. Aug. 9, 1838; wid., Mary, m., 2d, Jos. 
Randall of Bolton, and d. Jan. -18, 1S91. Wid., Dor- 
cas, m., 2d, Henr}' Babcock. 

Jarvis Whcclcr, s. of Stephen, m. ]Mary B., dau. of 
Josiah Babcock of Bolton, Sept. 29, 1830; he remained 
on the old homestead now owned by Mrs. George 
Farwell. Had no children, but made a home for 
several orphans. He d. Feb. 1 1, 1868 ; after his death 
his wid. moved to Carterville and lived in the house 
now owned by Mrs. Longley, where she d. Sept. 29, 
1889. 

Oliver P. Whcchr, b. March 5, 1822, s. of Joseph, 
m. Phileann, which was changed to Harriet, dau. of 
Amory Faulkner of Bolton, Oct. 28, 1842; shed. 
March 6, 1878, aged 53 yrs. ; he m., 2d, Sarah, dau. 
of William Bartlett of Berlin, July 29, 1879. Oliver 
lived in Bolton and Shrewsbury a few years after his 
marriage; in 1856 he moved on to the place now 
owned by Robert Newsome ; he remained here until 
about 1870, when he rem. to the place where he now 
lives in Hudson ; he and his oldest s., Solon, went to 
the war, and their names will appear in our list of 
soldiers. Had by Harriet, Solon, b. Nov. 14, 1843, 
res., Bolton; Susan, b. Nov. 29, 1845, "^- Albert 
Peterson April 8, 1857, who became insane, she has 



5l8 HISIORY OF THE 

had two husbands since, now lives in Worcester; 
Simon, b. April ii, 1848; Charles, b. vSept. 6, 1851, 
m. and res. in Westboro ; Christopher, b. May 28, 
1853; Edward, b. Sept. 3, 1856; Harriet Ella. b. Jiily 
29, 1859, m. and d. in Worcester; Milton E., b. Feb. 
25, 1862, d. Oct. 9, 1878; Leslie E., b. Feb. 9, 1867. 
Had by Sarah M., Sylvia E., b. Nov. 23, 1880. 

Solon Wheeler, s. of Oliver P., m. Augusta Dunn of 
Sullivan, N. H.; they parted; he m., 2d, Abbie Jane 
Heath of Stoddard, N. H. ; she d.; he m., 3d, wid. 
Mary Sheffler March 24, 1890. Had by Abbie Jane, 
Lewis S., Nathaniel P., George L, Clifford O., Ellen 
A., Su.sannah A.; by Mary had Mabel R. Present 
res., Bolton; about 1870 he lived in town ; built a 
house, now gone, near where his father formerly 
lived — the Ncwsome place. He was a soldier in the 
late war. 

Simon Wheeler, s. of Oliver P., m. Nancy A. Bliss, 
sister to Christopher Wheeler's wife, and by her had 
Arthur, d.; Austin; Charles; Milan, d.; Eva, adopted 
by John L. Day; Elmer, d.; Edward. vSimon and 
Nancy parted ; he m., 2d, Emma Seaver. Present res., 
Hudson ; has lived mostl}' in Westboro, but settled 
in Berlin after first marriage, and iDuilt a small house 
of short duration on the straight road near the O. C. 
depot. 

ChristopJier Wheeler, s. of Oliver P., m., March 14, 
1869, Mary J. Bliss of Gilsum, N. H. ; he lives on the 
Timothy Jones place on the Northboro road. Had 
Lester C, b. Aug. 27, 1874; Clarence, b. Oct. 14, 
1875; Mabel E., b. Dec. 6, 1877, m. Leonard vSasse- 



TOWX OF BERLIN. SI9 

field; Effie L., b. Aug. 28, 1880, d. yonng; Mary L., 
b. Dec. 28, 1884; Eva I., b. Nov. 24, 1885. 

Edward W/urlcr, s. of Oliver P., b. Aug. 7, 1861, 
m., Oct. 14, 1886, Annie A. Lewis, dau. of Joel 
Wheeler, s. of David; res., Carterville. Had Charles 
E., b. June 2, 1894; George iSI., b. Dec. i, 1887; 
Nellie M., b. June 2, 1890. 

Lcs/k W/urlcr, s. of Oliver P., m. Jennie F. Bow- 
man of Westboro; res., South Berlin. Had Grace B., 
b. Dec. 15, 1890, d. young. 

Nathaniel Wlurlcr, s. of Joseph, b. Sept. 20, 1826, 
in Keene, N. H., m., Aprils, 1853, AlminaN. Stone, 
dau. of Walter H. Stone of Framingham ; he settled 
on the farm formerly owned by Amory Sawyer, in the 
southeast part of the town, in 1855. Had Elvin C. 
b. Jan. 3, 1854, a machinist, and is m. and lives in 
Marshalltown, Iowa; Emily B., b. Nov. 11, 1857, m. 
Ossian D. Wheeler and lives in Marlboro, has two 
children; Ernest M., b. July 30, 1866, d. Nov. 6, 1873. 

Amos W/urlcr, s. of Levi, m. Lydia, dau. of Reuben 
Randall of Richmond, N. H. ; he settled first on the 
place now owned by Elias L. Wheeler, thence rem. 
to the farm where his s., Robert B., now lives ; 
finally lived in Carterville in the house now of Mrs. 
Longley; wife, Lydia, d. March 3, 1843; he m., 2d, 
Ann (t. Carter, wid. of Leonard. He d. Oct. 6, 1867, 
at 74; wid., Ann G., d. Sept. 29, 1874. Had by wufe, 
Lydia, Julia Ann, b. July, 18 17, m. Hosea Smith of 
Leominster; Sarah R., b. Nov. 15, 1818, m. George 
F. Wheeler; Amos, b. March 3, 1822; Reuben A., 
b. March 21, 1823; Moses B., b. April 21, 1825, d. 



520 HISTORY OK THE 

1826; Rufus R., b. March 21, 1827; Levi, b. April 5, 
1829; Oliver S., b. Feb. 4, 1831; infant, d. 1833; 
Robert B. and Richard M., twins, b. March 19, 1835. 

Amos W/u'clcr,Jr., m. Susan, dau. of Jesse Wheeler, 
Sept. 2, 1848; he first settled in Bolton, then rem. to 
Marlboro. Had Alvin A., b. April 16, 1850 ; Ade- 
laide E., b. April 2, 1853, m. Arthur V. Wheeler; 
Jerome H., b. Feb. 28, 1855, res., Worcester; S3'lvia 
R., b. Feb. 20, i860, d. March 11, 1882; Lilla G., b. 
June 16, 1864, d. July 21, 1885; Susan M., b. Feb. 
8, 1865, res. with her mother. He d. July 9, 1871 ; 
wid., Susan, lives in Bolton. 

Rciihcn A. Wlicclcr, s. of Amos, Sr., m. Jane F. 
Kimmins of Bolton; she d. vSept. 3, 1873, at 48 yrs., 
and he m., 2d, Jan. 29, 1875, Sarah Jane, dau. of 
Richard Battey of Smithfield, and wid. of Millens A. 
Taft of Blackstone ; he settled on the Priest place, 
now owned by Joseph J. Randall; rem. to vSmithfield 
in 1883; returned and bought the Stephen vSouth- 
wick farm in 1884; he built the house and barn of 
each of these places ; had no children. He d. Sept. 
14, 1891. 

Riifns R. W heeler, s. of Amos, vSr., ni. Lucy , 

dau. of Jonas Temple Walcott of Bolton ; he settled 
on the old Timothy Bailey place in the southwest part 
of the town ; present res., the Bowman place. Had 
Rosanna C, b. March 13, 1857, m. Charles W. Hol- 
brook, she d. May 3, 1882; Mary L., b. Jan. 13,1 860, m. 
Charles F. Walcott; Walter Amos, b. Feb. 22, 1862; 
Wilbur T., b. Jan. 8, 1865, d. May 20, 1867; Lester 
R., b. Aug. 15, 1867, m. Eva E. Bryant, dau. of 
Edward S., res. in Sullivan, N. H. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 5 21 

Levi Wheeler, s. of Amos, Sr., m., April 6, 1854, 
Jane M. Haynes, dan. of Samuel Haynes of Bolton; 
he lived in Bolton with his father-in-law. Had 
Orice L., b. Feb. 25, 1855; Samuel H., b. March 4, 
1861 ; Jane M., b. July 9, 1872. He d. April 10, 
1886. 

Oliver S. Wheeler, s. of Amos, Sr., m., August 10, 

1862, Hannah Blodgett of New Hampshire; she d. 
Jan. 15, 1875; m., 2d, Lydia M. Newcomb of Nova 
vScotia Sept. 11, 1875; he settled on a farm in the 
east part of Marlboro, where he still res. Had by 
wife, Hannah, Louisa J., b. Aug. 29, 1864; Barrett 
R., b. Oct. 6, 1866; Gracie R., b. May 11, 1870, m. 
Chester Howe of Marlboro; Joseph C, b. June 10, 
1872; Benjamin N., b. May 21, 1876. By wife, Lydia, 
had Clinton O., b. Dec. 16, 1877, d. July 16, 1892; 
Hiram E., b. Oct. 23, 1884, d. Jan. 23, 1885; Percy 
E., b. Nov. 7, 1886. 

Robert B. Wheeler, s. of Amos, Sr., m. Nancy ]\L, 
dau. of Thomas W. Wheeler of Bolton ; he inherited 
the homestead of his father on Wheeler hill and 
lives there still ; has served on the Board of Select- 
men a great number of years. Had Miranda L., b. 
Dec. 2, i860, d. Nov. 28, 1864; Alice S., b. Nov. 8, 

1863, m. George Dow of Bolton ; Gilbert H., b. Sept. 
13, 1866, m. Ida G. Burham Oct. 31, 1889, res., 
Bolton; Bertha M., b. Oct. 28, 1869, m., Sept. 17, 
1890, Walter Cole of Bolton; Laura A., b. Nov. 9, 
1873, m. John E. Taylor; Amos Chester, b. Jan. 25, 
1886. Wife, Nancy, d. July 16, 1890; m., 2d, Marion 
Jeffrey Oct. 18, 1893. 

Richard M. Wheeler, s. of Amos, Sr., m. Frances 



5 22 HISTORY OF THE 

A., dau. of Ebenezer vS. Sawtell, July 3, 1862; he 
settled on the farm formerly owned by William Bab- 
cock, and earlier by Amos Meriam. Had Richard 
M., b. June 20, 1863, d. Feb. 27, 1867: Hattie L., b. 
Jan. 4, 1866, d. March i, 1867; Orrin M., b. Feb. 15, 
1868; Charles C, b. March 30, 1871 ; Arthur B., b, 
Oct. 14, 1872; Willis E., b. Dec. 3, 1874; Amy F., 
b. Nov. 27, 1877; Ralph E., b. Nov. 25, 1880; 
Chester L., b. July 10, 1883. Richard M. d. March 
1 1, 1895. 

Wa/tn- A. W heeler, s. of Rufus R., m., May 3, 
1886, Ella L., dau. of Alanson Howe; lives in South 
Berlin. Had Emily C, b. June 3, 1887; Otis C, b. 
Aug. 31, 1888; Freeman W., b. Oct. 28, 1891. 

Peregrine Wheeler, 2d, s. of Levi, vSr., m. Rhoda, dau. 
of Reuben Randall of Richmond, N. H. She was b. 
June 12, 1798 ; he settled on the place now owned by 
his s., Willard M. Wheeler; he built a mill on the 
Gates pond brook, back of Elias L. Wheeler's, for the 
purpose of making shingles, etc. ; he d. June 4, i860; 
she d. April 7, 1877. Had Hannah Maria, b. April 
3, 1823, m. Joshua Clough and rem. to Maine, where 
she d. in Oct., 1888; Willard M., b. Feb. 5, 1825; 
Joel L., b. May 14, 1827. 

Willard M. Wheeler, s. of Peregrine, 2d, m. Caroline 
F., dau. of Luke Fosgate, Sept. 18, 1849; he settled 
in the south part ; built the house where Daniel 
Cartwright lived ; rem. to Upton ; returned and 
bought the mills at the south part; then rem. to 
North Grafton and went from there to Canaan, N. 
H. ; returned finally to his father's old home, where 
he now res. ; has since been engaged in the mill 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 523 

business with his s., Edmund W. ; he is a carpenter, 
millwright and an inventor of water-wheels. Had 
Ida C, b. Oct. 20, 1857, iTi- Frank W. Forehand of 
Croydon, N. H., Nov. 3, 1884, res. in Bolton; 
Edmund W., b. Oct. 20, 1854; Mary G., b. Jan. 3, 
1867, d. Dec. 7, 1873. 

Joel L. Whcclcr, s. of Peregrine, 2d, m. Elizabeth B. 
Babcock Oct. 24, 1 849, dau. of Ephraim, Jr. ; he 
built the house where Leslie Wheeler now lives, in 
the south part; lived awhile in Upton and then 
returned to his father's house, where he d. Aug. 9, 
1857, and was the first buried in the South cemetery; 
Had Edgar L., b. Dec. 7, 1852, d. in Marlboro; 
Willis and Wilbur, twins, b. 1855. His wid. m., 2d, 
Ebenezer Daily. 

Edmund W. Whcelci', s. of Willard M., m. Olivia 
A., dau. of Alanson Howe, June 30, 1879; lives in 
South Berlin; owns the mills. Had Alice C, b. 
Jan. 7, 1 88 1 ; Sidney W., b. April 11, 1887; Herman 
H., b. June 20, 1894. 

Levi Wheeler, Jr., s. of Levi, m. Betsey, dau. of 
(jideon Bliss ; he suffered a severe accident in eaily 
manhood, a tree falling upon his head, crushing the 
skull ; it was successfully trepanned by Dr. Calvin 
Carter of Lancaster, and he lived several years after, 
though suft'ering somewhat from the effects of the 
injury during his life; he d. Sept. 26, 1840. Had 
Mary C, b. April 28, 1824, d. 1826; Mary C, b. Nov. 
28, 1827, m. Samuel Howe of Marlboro Nov. 28, 
1849 ; Catherine, b. Dec. 28, 1829, d. 1831; Erastus 
S., b. Dec. 15, 1832, is a botanist and is living in 
Berlin; Levi, d. an infant; Elias L., b. Feb. 23,. 



524 HIS'n)RY OK THE 

1835; Lewis B., b. Nov. 26, 1837. Betsey, his wid., 
d. Dec. 28, 1 88 1. 

Elias L. Wlicclcr, s. of Levi, Jr., m., Feb. 17, 1880, 
Sarah A., dan. of Josiah Sawyer; he lives on the 
place first settled by David Howe; has built a new 
hoiise and barn; is largely engaged in raising fruit 
and vegetables. Had Myron vS., b. Feb. 7, 1881 ; 
Lucy M., b. Aug. 13, 1882. 

Lcivis B. Whcclcj-, s. of Levi, Jr., m. Annie L., 
dau. of Eber Howe of Marlboro, June 6, 1872; he 
settled on his father's place ; has built an elegant two- 
story house ; is largely engaged in fruit raising and 
gives special attention to poultry. Had Waldo L., b. 
June 3, 1873. 

Samuel H. Wheeler, s. of Levi, Sr., m. Sarah, dau. 
of Joseph Holder, Ma}^ 29, 1839; he settled on a part 
of the homestead of his father ; erected new buildings 
thereon ; was on the Board of Assessors for some 
years. Had Luc}^, b. Feb. 13, 1840, m. Amasa A. 
Whitcomb ; Martha, b. Jan. 20, 1842, m. Onslow E. 
Chase, res. in Hudson, vshe d. Feb. i , 1 893 ; Levi, b. 
May 5, 1845, d: Dec. 22, 1852; Mary Greene, b. May 
25, 1847, m. Lewis L Hapgood, res., Marlboro; 
Samuel, b. Nov. 3, 185 1 ; Levi, b. vSept. 5, 1854, d. 
Nov. 29, 1864; Henry A., b. March 31, 1857 : Joseph 
A., b. April 19, 1859, d. Jan. 3, 1865. Wife, wSarah, 
d. April 6, 1879; he d. Oct. 21, 1894. 

Samuel Wheeler, s. of vSamuel H., m. Emil}', dau. of 
William Bruce of Hudson, Aug. 15, 1871 ; he built 
a new house and barn near the residence of his father ; 
is extensively engaged in market gardening ; has 




w 

CO 

D 
O 

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'ix 

UJ 
UJ 

w 




HENRY A. WHEELER. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 525 

several greenhouses ; has been on the Board of 
Selectmen several years. Had Cora E., b. ]vlarch 14, 
1872, m. Arthur L. Brewer; Herbert L., b. Oct. 18, 
1875; Edwin E., b. Sept. 13, 1877; Marion G., b. 
Dec. 21, 1885 ; Bernice A., b. Oct. 2, 1894. 

Hoiry A. W heeler, s. of vSamuel H., m. Nellie F. 
Reed, dau. of Mrs. Ira Jones by a former husband, 
March 31, 1877; he lives on the old place; is en- 
gaged with his brother in market gardening, etc. ; 
has been on the Board of School Committee for some 
years. Had Carlon E., b. oSIarch 12, 1880; Annella 
M., b. Aug. 18, 1882; Roland R.,b. March 9, 1892, d. 
]\Iay 20, 1892; Raymond H.,b. March9, 1892. 

Elis/ia T. Wheeler, s. of Levi, Sr., m. Elizabeth, 
dau. of Jonathan Fry of Bolton, Nov. 23, 1842; he 
occupied the house of his father ; had part of the 
old farm ; built a new house in place of the old, the 
same where C. A. Otterson now lives; manufactured 
shoes a number of years; the shop (now gone) was 
near his dwelling. Had Anne M., b. Dec. 11, 1843,. 
d. unm. ]\Iarch 18, 1882; Harriet A., b. ]Ma\^ 14, 
1848, m. Ebenezer S. Sawtell, Jr. ; Ellen E., b. June 
21, 1854, m. A. Augustus vSaw3'er; Olive L., b. July 
5, 1856, m. Richard E. Taft Feb. 4, 1880, d. Jan. 10, 
1887; Gilbert H., b. June 28, 1859, i^- Lizzie, dau. 
of Richard Yates of Northboro, res., Marlboro; Lucy 
Grace, b. Oct. 13, 1861. He d. Jan. 15, 1875; wid. 
m. Henry \. Taft of Uxbridge. 

Jonathan ]\ heeler, s. of Levi, Sr., m. Melissa, dau, 
of Daniel Wheeler, 1840. Had Ellen M., b. July 9, 
1 84 1, m., ]\larch 31, 1864, Daniel P. Hartwell ; Emma 
A., b. April 13. 1843, m. Joseph W. Pierce, he d. 



526 HISTORY OF THE 

Aug. 10, 1865, she m., 2d, June 10, 1866, Horace A. 
Gunnison. Jonathan d. ISIarch 5, 1845 ; wid. m., 2d, 
Capt. John D. Merrill. 

Gcorgv C. Wheeler, s. of Levi, Sr.* m. Mary Martin 
Jan. 31, 1850; was a marketman ; lived on the J. D. 
Meriam place ; rem. to Clinton, thence to Worces- 
ter ; was a soldier in the late war. Had Jonathan 
T., b. Apr. 3, 1853, m. Lurana, dau. of Welcome 
Cook, she d. Dec. 28, 1874, he m., 2d, Nettie Brig-ham 
of Providence, R. I., res., Worcester ; Julia E., b. 
April 29, 1854, m. Henry H. Hosley, res., Lancaster, 
now Fitchburg; Lois H., b. Aug. 2, 1856, m. Wal- 
lace Plaisted of Worcester; George L., b. Sept. 25, 
1858, d. July, 1884. George C. d. in Worcester Dec. 
4, 1886, where his wid. still res. 

Williaut //'. U7iee/er, h. Dec. zy, 1812, s. of Abel 
of Bolton, and a descendant of Obadiah Wheeler, 
who settled in Bolton on the Allen Wheeler place, 
m. Sabra, dau. of Daniel Wheeler; he lived where 
his son, Edward L,, now resides, known formerly 
^s the Isaac Moore farm. Had Frederick, b. Aug. 9, 
1837; Alvina S., b. Oct. 29, 1839, m. Thomas ^• 
Berry; Edward L., b. Aug. 22, 1844; Louisa E., b. 
July 22, 1847. William d. Jan. i, 1888; wid., vSabra, 
d. April 29, 1895. 

George Fox Wheeler, s. of Abel of Bolton, m. Sarah, 
dau. of Amos Wheeler, Sr., Nov. 9, 1843; he lived 
in the north part of the town on the place now owned 
by his son-in-law, John L. Day. He was a carpenter; 
built the house where he lived. Had Lydia R., b. 
vSept. 23, 1844, m. Charles H. Timson of Northboro 
Aug. 6, 1 86 1, m., 2d, Henrv Howe of Northboro; 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 527 

Julia Ann, b. Aug. 29, 1847, m. John L. Day; Sarah 
A., b. July 29, 1849, m. Mervin M. Burdett Feb. 8, 
1872, d. vSept., 1895; Horace A., b. Mar. 9, 1854, m. 
Lucy E. Montgomery iVpril 8, 1875, he d. March 22, 
1878, she m., 2d, Lewis Paine. Wife, Sarah, d. Nov. 
10, 1873. Hem., 2d, Anna McDavitt of Lynn; he 
d. Dec. 29, 1889. 

Francis A. Wheeler, s. of Abel of Bolton, m. Sarah, 
dau. of Nathaniel King, Nov. 25, 1858; she d. Dec. 
4, 1859, age 27 years; left an infant, Holman K. 
Wheeler, b. Oct. 26, 1859. M., 2d, May 4, 1864, Jen- 
nie H.' Manchester of Clinton, b. 1839. Had by her, 
Sarah Lizzie, b. Feb. 19, 1865, m. John E. Phinney 
Jan. 30, 1884, lives in Clinton; Francis Sherman, b. 
Dec. 22, 1866, m., Mar. 29, 1889, Eva L., dau. of A. 
J. Johnson, he owns the Daniel Wheeler farm, a 
shoemaker, res. with father-in-law; Lilla Geneva, b. 
Sept. 27, 1868; Clarence Edgar, b. April 22, 1871; 
John Abel, b. Oct. 19, 1873. He is by trade a shoe- 
maker and lives on Wheeler hill. Wife, Jennie H., 
d. Sept. 6, 1874. 

Frederick W. \Vheeler\ William W.% Abel', m., Oct. 
30, 1864, Adaline Kent of Monrovia, N. Y., res. was 
in Bolton, now in Berlin. Wife d. Nov. 18, 1878. 
Had James D., b. Sept. 11, 1866; Loren C, b. July 
7, 1869; Mary J., b. May 22, 1874. 

Ecizvard L. Wheeler\ William W.,= Abel', m. May 
5, 1869, Sarah E. Dakin of Conn.; he remains on the 
homestead. Had Walter E., b. Oct. 17, 1872; Wil- 
liam E., b. Feb. 3, 1879; Genella E., b. April 19, 
1 88 1, d. Oct. 26, 1881 ; Warren E., b. Nov. 17, 1890. 



5 28 HISTORY OF THE 

Abraham Whcclcr, a brother of Asa, Sr., who was 
son of Obadiah of Bolton, was a blacksmith and had 
a trip-hammer shop and made scythes, just below 
Stone's corner on the Hudson road. He built the 
house where Truman Walcott lived, now burned. He 
removed to Stratton, Vt., where he died. Had son, 
David, who m. Anna Baker, dau. of Jonathan ; he lived 
in Bolton and many other places ; they had Joel W., 
b. 1818, m. Mary Jane Faulkner; David B., b. June 
II, 1823. 

David B. \VJui'Icr\ David"', Abraham', m. Alartha 
Ann, dau. of Jona. Wheeler' of Bolton. He came to 
town 1857 ; built his house in South Berlin i860, and 
removed to Northboro 1891 ; he was a repairer of 
clocks and watches. Had Alfred C, b. June 10, 1845, 
d. July 10, 1869; Laura A., b. Oct. 31, 1850, d. Aug. 
20, 1870; Charles W., b. March 9, 1854, m. Hattie E. 
Stowers from Maine, he was in trade at Sawyer's 
mills, res. now Leominster; Arthur B., b. May 10, 
i860, m. Carrie A. Cross of Cambridgeport, he is in 

trade at Northboro, she d. i895- Wife, 

Martha A., d. Dec. 25, 1890; he d. in Northboro with 
son, Arthur, Oct. 17, 1893. 

Timothy Brooks \V heeler, of no known connection 
with the Berlin Wheelers, lived in the old house at 
Stone's corner, which house was once Abraham 
Wheeler's trip-hammer shop. The case in law, 
which attracted much attention at the time, grew 
out of suit of Berlin vs. Bolton, as to which town was 
liable to his support; the case went to the Supreme 
Court. Berlin beat. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 529 

WHITCOMB. 

Aiiiasa A. Whit comb, b. April 13, 1832, s. of Amory 
of Bolton, and whose mother was Mrs. Winsor May- 
nard, m. Lucy H., dan. of Samuel H. AVheeler, vSept. 8, 
1859; l^^''' been a teacher; was a graduate of Bridge- 
water Normal School ; worked shoemaking in Marl- 
boro; sold his place in the south part to John Las- 
selle, res with dau., Mary L. Had Mary L., b. Aug. 
10, i860, m. Truman P. Felton ; Myron L., b. Jan. 
19, 1862, is a shoe manufacturer in Haverhill, 
Mass. Wife, Lucy H., d. Aug. 24, 1874. 

David li. Whitcomb, from New Ipswich, N. H., m. 
Mary E. Carter, dau. of Leonard. He was a shoe- 
maker and lived in Carterville ; removed to Clinton ; 
was a soldier in the late war of Co. I, 5th Regt., 
Mass. Vols. Had Amy Foster, b. Feb. 10, 1863. 

Luke Whitconib of Ijolton m., 2d, wid. Hannah 
(Jewett) Barnes, wid. of Welcome. Lived on the A. 
C. Derby farm. Had In- first wife, Mary E., m. John 
B. Gough; was hereabout 1840, returned to Bolton. 

Rebecca W'/tiicoiiib, dau. of Silas and Lucy Whitcomb 
of Bolton, was b. Nov. 27, 1799; was one of eleven 
children. Her ancestors were noted for their lon- 
gevity; in early life she was a school teacher. Lived 
manv \-cars with Dr. Hartshorn ; of late has lived 
with Capt. Silas Sawyer. vShe is now (vSept. 25, 1895) 
the oldest person in town. 

Enoc/i ]Vliiieomb,h. , m. Hannah, dau. of Jos. 

Priest, Sr., on whose place he for awhile lived. Had, 
probablv, a son, Enoch. No other record. 
3r> 



530 



HISTORY OF THE 



Enoch WJiitcoiiib, Jr., m. vSarah Tooker 1 78 1 . In 1 784 
he bought the homestead of Cyrus Houghton, vSr., 
and sold the same to Caleb Houghton. He lived in 
the house on the Cranberry Meadow road, near the 
Merrick Sargent place. Had Sally, David, Joseph, 
Polly, Levi, Silas, Anna, Rebecca. The family, or a 
part of them, were in Rindge, N. H., 1806. He and 
wife d. in Surry, N. H. 

WHITE. 

Daniel A. White, b. Aug. 1 2, 1 836, s. of Samuel White, 
formerly of Marlboro, N. H., m. Ellen, dau. of Capt. 
C. S. Hastings. He is a grocer in Clinton ; his res. is 
in Bolton near the O. C. R. R. depot. He is a lineal 
descendant of Peregrine White of Pilgrim notoriety, 
who was born on the Mayflower Nov. 20, 1620, and 
was the first white male child born in the Colony. 
Daniel A. is of the seventh generation ; the lineage 
runs thus : Peregrine', Daniel", Thomas', Samuel', 
Enoch', vSamuer, Daniel A.' Samuel' settled in Bol- 
ton, m. Sarah Fosgate and had eight children. One 
of these, Enoch, b. in Bolton Dec. 18, 1754, m. about 
1800 Hannah Hale. He and his father rem. to Marl, 
boro, N. H., probably about the time of the great 
emigration of the Joneses, Tenneys and others to that 
locality. Samuel, s. of Enoch, and father of Daniel 
A., was b. Dec. 23, 1803, m. Harriet Newell Wade. 
Had two sons, Charles H. and Daniel A., with the 
latter of whom he now resides, hale and heartv at 
nearly 92 yrs. 

Daniel K. White had by wife, Ellen, Christopher 
S., b. Aug. 13, 1863; Lelia L., b. Dec. i, 1865, m. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 53^ 

Fred W. Morse; Charles L., b. April 12, 1868, d. 
May I, 1887; Cordelia H., b. Sept. 20, 1873; Pere- 
grine H., b. July 20, 1875. 

Christopher S. White, s. of Daniel A., m., June 30, 
1891, Mary vS., dau. of Pliny B. Soutliwick. Has 
been postmaster and storekeeper at Berlin Centre 
since 1 890. Has now (Dec. i , 1 895) sold his business 
to H. E. Lasselle. 

Peregrine H. White (or Perry, as generally called), 
s. of Daniel A., while living in South Berlin with 
the family of Mrs. C. S. Hastings, at the age of thir- 
teen years started to publish the Berlin News, the 
first paper ever printed in Berlin. The first issue 
was July 25, 1888. 

The entire process of printing a paper was carried 
out by him at his home in South Berlin, he being 
editor, type-setter, printer and "devil" all at the same 
time. ' In the edition of July 24, 1889, directly after 
his birthday, the following appeared : 

Fourteen long yenrs have passed away 
Since we first saw the light of day; 
For thirteen years we had no views, 
The fourteenth we started the Berlin A^eius. 

The size of the Neivs at its initial issue was 7^ 
X 5 inches before it was folded. When folded, mak- 
ing four pages, it was just one-half that size. The 
paper continued for four years, retaining its original 
size. It became a very popular sheet, not only in 
Berlin, but in adjoining towns. Hardly a week 
passed when some of the larger daiUes or weeklies 
did not have something to offer for the good of the 



53- HISTORY OF THE 

''iVi-Zi's." The Clinton CounDit appeared one week 
with the following' verse : 

If you want a little paper, 
To instruct you and amuse, 
We advise you to subscribe 
For the newsy Berlin Aems. 



V(>f..i. WEDNESDAY, JL'LVj^ ibSS XI). i. 

INfRODL'ClTOX. 

Tiiis xi, ;i ii-,v cicparturc. Uatil tlic pres- 
ent dav no one has had the grit, sar.d, or 
energy to start a paper in the village ot So. 
Udrlin. We claim thi;-. honor. Wi; inte';id to 
keep up witli the times — not the Marluoro 
Times, bi t wo do think W2 can furni>h as 
much new.>, wit, and wisdon^ ai the BkrliN" 
Keportf.p:. Wc do not propose to chaigc 
^ou $2.00 a year for our services noi 50 cti. 
even but v/e will furnish yau uith the Niivvs 
every Wednesday for the utleily in'>ignirc?.nt, 
meagre, and ahv.ost inadequate sum of 3 ct.%. a 
rnonih. You see wo do liot propoe to have 
our paper called ^'nothin' but a J ct. ean..;ar.;". 
Our intention is to publish ail the local new^, 
a sh.QtJt story, and the cuir^ni notes 01 t!ie dav 
as our space' will admit.' Wz would like }o.jr 
name on our s«i:bscription list. Siiai.i u r: 

(JF.T IT? 



Nearly 6000 persons finvc died in Bo ;toi) 
>ince January i 

Gen. Harrison is .-aid to be ouly li\e 
tcct five inchc . tall. 

On Jnlv 27, 1S92, the Nczvs appeared in an en- 
larged form, this time measuring 9x13 inches before 
folded, and one-half that size when folded, making it 
a four-page folio, with the leaves measuring 6^ x 9 
inches. AVith this size the paper continued until 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 533 

July 19, 1893, Avhen it was stopped for various 
reasons, the principal one being on account of the 
town not being large enough to warrant its publica- 
tion, and, secondly, the editor, when eighteen, con- 
sidered he was too large to print so small a sheet. 

That the Berlin Nczl's was a great benefit to the 
town of Berlin no one has ever denied. The editor, 
who was more or less interested in railroad business 
before suspending the publication of the Ncti.-s, 
now took hold of it in earnest, and to-day holds a 
position in the superintendent's office of the North- 
ern Division of the New York, New Haven & Hart- 
ford Railroad. 

The circulation reached nearly 400. Many regrets 
were expressed when the paper was discontinued. 
Every volume, except the first, will soon be placed 
in the librarv for ])ublic use. 

WIIITXKV. 

Elislia ill. Whitiuy, s. of Israel, from Marlboro, m. 
Electa, dau. of Levi Bigelow, Esq., vSr. He bought 
of Sam Williams the mills at south part about 1 844; 
sold same to Willard Wheeler 1856 ; was a partner 
with Geo. W. Maynard in the shoe business till 1862. 
Had no children. He d. Jan. 3, 1879, aged 61 ; she 
d. April 2, 1892. He lived on Russell Parks' 
place. 

WILDER. 

Nathaniel Wlldi'?- with wife, Lucy, was here about 
1 820-'25 ; were from Keene, N. H. He succeeded Silas 
Mossman as blacksmith, and preceded Joel BuUard. 



534 HIS'lORY OF THE 

WILLIAMS. 

Sajiiucl Williams of Marlboro m. Abby Gleason 
Dec. 14, 1845. He lived on the Col. Parks place and 
also on the place where Philo Bruce now lives ; re- 
moved to Sterling about 1862, where he and his wife 
died; his mother also d. there Dec. 27, 1876, at 100 
years. The writer (Rev. ^\^m. A. Houghton) offici- 
ated at her funeral, also at the funeral service of 
Winsor Howe of Bolton 1879, age 102 yrs. They 
had Harriet A., b. March 8, 1848; Caroline M., b. 
June, 1850, d. March 21, 1856; Orilena, b. July 9, 
1852, and George H., d. young. 

Daniel E. Williams, brother of Samuel, m. Caroline 

M. . He settled on the place now owned by 

Joseph Turner. Had Caroline M., b. 1847; Caroline 
M., b. 1848, both d. young; Sarah A. and Lovell A., 
who d. young; also Affie G., b. Oct. 2, 1850. He d. 
June 26, 1 864, by suicide. 

WINSHIP. 

Stcplicii Winship, s. of John of Lexington, m. Eliza- 
beth Williams, dau. of Moses Pollard. Was in busi- 
ness in Faneuil Hall Market, Boston. Came to West 
Berlin, where Ebenezer Daily now lives, 1 846, for his 
health; removed 1857; his children were all b. in 
Boston. Had Albert C; Henry A.; Elizabeth W., 
m. Francis U. vStowe, a grandson of Madam Puffer; 
also Harriet, Laura, vStephen D., Emma, and also 
Julia A., m. Otis Larkin. 

WINTER. 
Waldo Wititcr, late of Clinton, with wife, Mercy, 
was in West Berlin i826-'30. Was partner in store 
after Stephen Shepherd and vStephen Moore. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 535 

WOOD. 

Joseph Wood m. Kesia, dau. of Lieut. Timothy Bai- 
ley, who d. in the army 1777. 

Silas Woodvsi. Sibyl . Had Silas, b. 1785; 

Polly, b. 1786. 

Joseph R. Wood, b. Aug. 16, 1859, s. of Charles E., 
m. Mary E., dau. of Isaac N. Whitaker, Feb. 2, 1880. 
Came from Northboro, and settled on the Samuel J. 
Moore place 1 892 ; is a painter. Had Winifred H., b. 
June 17, 1882; Harold S., b. Sept. 27, 1883; Ken- 
neth R., b. Dec. 5, 1888; Stanley C, b. Aug. 9, 1890. 

WOODHURV. 

Zoheth B. Wooddurj',s. oi Israel of Bolton, m. vSarah 
Ann, dau. of Jonas Hale, Nov. 19, 1865. He is a 
shoemaker, and lives on the Conant place in the 
Centre. Was in the service in the late war in Co. I 
of the 36th Rcgt., Alass. Vols. Had Zoheth H., b. 
Jan. 2, 1875. 

WOODWARD. 

Frederiek A. Woodzvard, from Lancaster, b. Nov. 12, 
1846, m. Angeline V., dau. of Joseph B. Moore of 
Lancaster, May 25, 1869. Came to town and settled 
on the Rufus Sawyer place 1870 ; is a stone mason, 
contractor and farmer; has been on Board of vSelect- 
men. 

WORSTER. 

Ebenezer W'orster, from Harvard, with wife, Eliza- 
beth, lived in house near Elias L. Wheeler's 1785; 
removed to Brandon, Vt. Had sons, John and Jona- 
than. 



536 HISTORY OF THE 

YOUNG. 

Oliver YoiDig, of Phillipston, m. about 1800 Grace, 
dan. of Joel Kelly of Northboro. He was crippled 
for life by the kick of a horse. His son, Oliver, settled 
on the farm now owned by Paul A. Randall; he d. in 
Northboro. ^Vid., Grace, m., 2d, Reuben Babcock, 
who lived at the time on the John Collins place. Had 
Nancy, b. 1803, d., unm., in Berlin Dec. 24, 1858; 
Oliver, b. 1805, d., unm., Ma}^ 19, 1857; William L., 
b. i8o9-'io, d., unm., Aug. 9, 1856; Joel and John 
M. (no dates of births), — all b. in Phillipston. 

John M. was a captain of one of the New Bedford 
whalers and followed the sea for twenty-three years ; 
his home was in vSoutli Framing-ham; d. 1889. Has 
a son of same name resident there. 

The name of Nancy Young is highly cherished in 
Berlin, and deservedly so, as the principal gift to our 
school fund came from her; she by her will gave to 
the town in trust $1,500 for schooling. She lived 
nine years in the family of Rev. Dr. Bancroft of 
Worcester. 

Oliver, Jr., lived with Capt. vSamuel Spofford; 
William L. lived in Northboro and Westboro ; of 
Joel no record. Two of the sons and the daughter 
died here within about two years of each other, and 
the familv name in Berlin became extinct. 



ADDENDA TO GENEALOGY 



COFFRAN. 

Boijaniiii Coffraii, from Goshen, N. H., settled on 
the place now owned by Edward Flagg, 1831. Had 
Susan, m. Silas Houghton, brother of Merrick; 
Lucina, m. Amory B. vSawyer. Mr. Coffran re- 
turned to Goshen; no other record. 

DAVIS. 

George G. Davis, s. of Horatio E., b. Aug. 6, 1849, 
in., Sept. 27, 1 87 1, Mary I. Perkins of Gardiner, Me.; 
res. in house of Capt. Silas Sawyer. Had Alice, b. 
April 24, 1873, d. vSept. 24, 1873; Ralph G., b. Nov. 
27, 1875. 

DAW SOX. 

Auianda A. Dawson, wid. of William W. Dawson, a 
former resident of the west part, owns and occupies for 
a summer residence the Anthony vS. Starkey place. 

DVAR. 

SniitJi Dyar, from Charlestown, b. 1 802, m. Maryjane, 
dau. of Ebenezer Gage; he lived here when a boy five 
years ; was a leather merchant in Boston ; came to 
Berlin 1857; settled on the place now owned by 
Algernon Cartwright ; rem. to Charlestown ; d. there 
May 14, 1882; she d. Aug. 24, 1877. Had Mary 



538 HISTORY OF THE 

Jane, b. , m. Abram vShedd of Charlestown ; 

Ebenezer, b. , res., Rochester, N. H.; Ann 

Adelia, b. , m. Alonzo Hall ; Albert, b. , 

d. ; Edward F., b. , m. Fanny E. 

Devan, dau. of William of Marlboro, he d. Feb. 7, 

1894; Ellen M., b. , m. Luther, son of Dea. 

Luther Peters, she d. July i, 1883; George H., b. 

, m. Emma, dau. of Alerrick Felton, divorced, 

m., 2d, Ella Flanders, divorced, m., 3d, Carrie . 

Fanny E., the wid. of Edward F., lives in house next 
east of L. W. Brewer's. 

GODDARD. 

Emerson N. Goddard, from Westminster, has re- 
cently bought the Moran place in the west part. It 
appears by the history of Westminster, recently pub- 
lished, that he is the son of Nathaniel Goddard of 
Templeton; was b. iVug. 17, 1839, m.. May i, 1861, 
Jane L., dau. of Lysander Jackson; she d. June 30,^ 
1870, aged 28. They had but one child: Emma J., 
b. Nov. 18, 1864. Mr. Goddard was formerly pro- 
prietor of the Central Hotel in Westminster. The 
following complimentary notice is taken from the 
history aforesaid: "Under his administration the 
house has maintained a good standing in the com- 
munity, and extended to travelers, festive parties, 
and whomsoever might lend it patronage, a hearty 
welcome, and a generous hospitality. No known 
connection with the Berlin Goddards. 

howp:. 

Chester A. Howe, s. of Alanson S. of Marlboro, m. 
Grace R., dau. of Oliver S. Wheeler, May i, 1895, 



TOWN OF BERLIX. 539 

res. in South Berlin in a new house just built for 
himself. 

JEW EFT. 

Walter S. Jcivctt, b. April 7, 1863, s. of Henry P. of 
Bolton, m., May 17, 1884, Bertha L., dan. of Sewell 
H, Merrill. He lives on the Dakin place. Had 
Ralph S., b. Nov. 20, 1891. 

I..\V150LT. 

David Laybolt, from N. S., b. Aug. 12, 185 1, m., 
March, 1881, Mary Ross, b. May 17, 1845; came to 
Berlin 1882; res. at the Asa Bride place. Had Mur- 
dick, b. Jan. 14, 1883; Harry, b. June 10, 1885. 

MERKIIJ,. 

Capt. John D. Merrill was b. in Gilmanton, N. H., 
]\Iay 26, 1796, m. Mary H. Barter, res. Belfast, Cas- 
tine and Deer Isle, Me., came to Berlin 1848; was a 
soldier in the War of 1 8 1 2 ; was a sea captain. He 
lived on Wheeler hill, the place recently occupied by 
Arad Taylor. He was the oldest person in town at 
the time of his death, Oct. 29, 1886, at 89 yrs. 5 mos. 
Had bv wife, Mary H., Ammi C, res. Frankfort, 
Me., d. 1868; Seth W., b. July 21, 1820 ; Mary Jane, 
b. May 19, 1822, m., Oct. 28, 1841, Thos. S. Barter, 
she d. here Oct. i, 185 i ; Joseph W., b. July 6, 1825; 
John A., b. wSept. 7, 1827; Jemima D., b. April 11, 
1830, m. Jonathan F. Wheeler; Sarah F., b. Aug. 9 
1832, m. Amory Pollard, m., 2d, Jona. Ridley; Persis 
J., b. Aug. 31, 1835, m. Isaac Holbrook; Sewell H., 
b. Nov. 3, 1838; Elba M., b. Nov. 21, 1841, m. Wm. 



540 HISTORY OF THE 

Tasker of Steven's Point, AVis. Wife, Mary H., d. 
Nov. 28, 1843, in Frankfort, Me.; m., 2d, May i, 

1 849, Mrs. Melissa, dau. of Daniel Wheeler, and wid. 
of Jonathan Wheeler, s. of Levi. Had by Melissa, 
Laura Ella, b. Oct. 22, 185 i, m. Arad Taylor; Ber- 
tillo J., b. Dec. 27, 1853, d. April 29, 1861 ; Mary H., 
b. Oct. 21, 1856, d. March 23, 1862. Wid., Melissa, 
d. Aug. 27, 1893. 

Sct/i JV. Merrill, s. of John D., m. Thirza A., dau. 
of Asa Carter, in Frankfort, Me., 1844; removed to 
Berlin 1845. Had George W. and Mar\^ Susan. She 
d. Nov. 4, 1850; m., 2d, her sister, Hulda A., dau. of 
Asa Carter, Jan. 2, 1853, in Bolton. Had by her, T. 
Ella and May E. He settled in Hudson ; a dealer 
in paints, oils and paper hangings; now removed 
to vSomerville. 

Rev. Joseph W. Merrill, s. of John D., m. Susan B., 
dau. of Asa Carter, Nov. 2, 1846; she d. June 2, 1849, 
in Berlin; m., 2d, Abbie E., dau. of Daniel Wheeler, 

1850, res. on Wheeler hill, the place where James B. 
Hartley and wife, Abbie E. (former wife of Jos. W.), 
now live. Had by Abbie E., E. Eugene, b. Feb. 26, 

1 85 1, Jos. W. left town about 1868 ; has m., 3d, L. 
M. Hinckley, res. Maynard. 

JoJui A. Merrill, s. of John D., m. Laura E., dau. of 
Ivory Carter, April 9, 1 8 5 1 ; in early life he was a 
shoemaker, but later succeeded Samuel M. Fuller in 
store at Carterville, where he still continues ; was a 
soldier in the late war. Had by wife, Laura E., 
Alice M., b. May 13, 1856, m. Henry S. Houghton, 
Jr., Sept. 28, 1876, res., Northbridge ; Laura Eliza- 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



541 



beth, b. June 9, 1861, m. Warren S. Howe Jan. 18, 
1888, res., Brookline. Wife, Laura E., d. Augf. 28, 
1866; m., 2d, Lurinda E. Mansfield of Ashby July 3, 
1869, and by her had Walter E., b. Dec. 24, 1870; 
Efde A., b. June 17, 1874. 

Sczuc/l H. Merrill, s. of John D., m., Nov. 2, 1863, 
Augusta D. Lawrence of Acton, a sister of Mr. E. 
H. Lawrence; res. in north part of town on the 
David Smith place; is a shoemaker and farmer. 
Had Bertha L., b. Aug. 24, 1864, m. Walter S. 
Jewett of Bolton; Grace H., b. March 19, 1870, m. 
1^'orest E. Day. 

lidgar Eugene Merrill, s. of Joseph W., m. Nellie 
Howard of Brooklyn, N. Y., June 10, 1889; res. on 
the mother's old place on Wheeler hill. Had three 
children: Joseph W., b. June 2, 1891 ; Margaret A., 
b. July 29, 1893; Lester E., b. July 28, 1895. 

MILLS. 

Silas L. Mills, s. of John K. Mills of Nelson, N. H., 
came to Berlin 1885, m. Ella M., dau. of Edward 
Flagg, Dec. 24, 1885 ; he lives in the west part on 
the place formerly owned by Hartwell Sawyer. 
Charles D. Mills, a brother of Silas, m. Etta F. Par- 
menter of this town, res., Florida. Had Lula E., b. 
]\Iay 19. 1888; Roy E., b. Dec. 2, 1890. 

•MORSE. 

/. Porter Morse, s. of Fred Morse of Marlboro, 
m. Lelia G., dau. of George H. Bruce, Oct. 14, 1890; 
has made Berlin his home a part of the time since 



542 HISTORY OF THE 

his marriage; res. with wife's father, Geo. H. Bruce. 
He is a musician of superior attainments, a teacher 
of music, and the leader of the Hudson Brass Band. 
Has had two children, Porter B., b. Dec. 22, 1891, d. 
young; George V., b. Jan. 22, 1893. 

OTTER SON. 

Charles A. Ottcrson, s. of John A. and grands, of 
James Otterson, natives of Hooksett, N. H,, was b. 
in Lowell, Mass., June i, 1835. Margaret W., his 
wife, was b. Feb. 2, 1842, near Glasgow, Scotland. 
He resides in the southeast part of the town, on the 
place formerly owned by Elisha T. Wheeler; he is a 
machinist, plumber and farmer, and is engaged in 
hot-house culture of plants and flowers. Had John 
A., b. in Clinton i\.ug. 25, 1867 ; Helen M., b. in Clin- 
ton May 12, 1872. 

"The first Otterson we have any account of lived 
600 years ago. The naine was spelt Otson ; he was 
poet to the King of Denmark and belonged to the 
king's household. When the Danes invaded Eng- 
land, the king fitted out a vessel and made him cap- 
tain ; he settled in England, afterward in the north 
of Ireland, then the name was changed to 'Oughter- 
son.' His descendants, after coming to America, 
spelt the name Otterson." 

PAIGE. 

Willia)ii H. Paige, of South Boston, m. Elizabeth 
L., dau. of Henry Hastings; res. here about 1858 on 
the place now owned by William King in the south 
part; later he lived on the farm now owned by A. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 543 

B, Allen ; present res., Onset, Mass. Had one son, 
William H., a professional musician. 

PERRY. 

Eugene O. Perry, from Concord, s. of Joseph, m.. 
May 12, 1887, vSarah L., dau. of Eugene Smith of 
Bolton; came to Berlin 1895. He is a blacksmith at 
Guertin's shop in the Centre. Had George F., b. 
May 14, 1889; Carl E., b. Aug. 19, 1892; Clarence 
R., b. March 5, 1894. 

PIERCE. 

Arthur Franklin Pieree, b. in Peru, Mass., Oct. 28, 
1853, m. Mary V., dau. of Algernon Cartwright, May 
10, 1879; lived in Northboro some 3'ears after mar- 
riage; present res., South Berlin; he is a painter and 
carpenter and has plenty to do. Had Eliza V., b. 
Nov. 3, 1880; Lillian E., b. April 15, 1883. 

ROIUCHAUD. 

Louis Kobiehaud, b. in New Brunswick March 30, 
1853, m., 1882, Marceline Comeau of New Bruns- 
wick, b. 1858 ; came to the states 1888 ; is a section 
hand on the B. & M. R. R.; res., Oliver Smith place. 
Had Mary Ann, d. young; Mary, b. Oct. 15, 1884; 
Joseph A., b. Dec, 1885, d. Aug., 1886; Joseph, b. 
May 5, 1887 ; Mary Agnes, b. Sept. 2, 1888 ; Anna, 
b. May 3, 1890, d. Sept. 5, 1890; Willie, b. July — , 
1891, d. Jan. 20, 1892; Antony, b. Sept. i, 1892, d. 
Sept. 5, 1S93; Mary Emma, b. Feb. 9, 1894; John 
L., b. Aug. 29, 1895. 



544 



HISTORY OF THE 



SEGAR. 



JHss Ainiic A. Scgar, from Boston, came to town 
1894; res. in summer on the Caty Larkin place on 
the road to O. C. depot. 

SIIUBERT. 

Car/ B. Schubert, b. in Germany Sept. 3, 1854, m., 
Mav 25, 1 88 1, Annie L. Kneipel, res., Renben Hast- 
ings' place; came to Berlin 1890. Had Annie, b. 
[line 12, 1883; Clara, b. Dec. 16, 1884; Martha, b. 
Jan. 26, 1887; Althea, b. July i, 1890; Charles W., 
b. July I, 1892. 

SMITH. 

Calvin SiJiii/i\ Calvin", Calvin", John', b. July 11, 
1833, m. Louisa J., dau. of Josiah C. Sawyer; he 
and Mr. vSawyer owned for a short time, about 1858, 
the farm since owned b}^ Richard M. Wheeler ; he 
rem. to Hudson, where he still res.; wife d. March 4, 

1 87 1. Had Nellie, d. ; Charles; (rrace, m. 

Frank Glines. 

Janus (7. Smith, s. of Calvin', m. Ellen Jones, sister 
of Everett; lived in Nelson, N. H., now res. in Lan- 
caster. Had Lizzie, m. and lives in Lancaster. 

Stephen Smith, s. of Calvin', m. Helen A. Sanderson, 
dau. of Jesse of Lunenburg, ]\Lay 3, 1864. Had 
Herbert W., b. Nov. 20, 1867, m. Alice E. Phillips, 
res., Hudson. 



(iATES' POM) TAKEN. 



Gates' pond, or " Kequasagansett" lake, was taken 
by the town of Hudson for a water supply for domes- 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 545 

tic purposes by act of Legislature of 1883, for which 
the town received no remuneration, although the 
town may need the same at no distant day for its 
own uses. The rights, privileges and immimities 
of a town should ever be watched and guarded with 
zealous care and wise discernment. 



ORTHODOX SUNDAY SCHOOL AND TEACHERS. 

The .Sunday school in the ( )rthodox Congregational 
Church was organized May, 18 18, in the latter part 
of Dr. Puffer's ministry. At first it was only for the 
children, and was adjourned through the winter 
months. There was some opposition to the move- 
ment lest it should supersede the teaching of the 
Bible in the family. 

Dea. Dexter Fay was the first superintendent ; a 
(jodly man, and faithful in all the duties of the office. 
The church records show many additions to the 
church from the .Sunday school while he was super- 
intendent. He was succeeded at his death by Josiah 
Bride, who brought to the work culture and education 
united with energy, and an earnest Christian spirit. 
Under his successor, Dr. Edward Hartshorn, gifted 
in prayer and speech, with zeal for the work, the 
school greatly prospered. On his removal to Somer- 
ville, his son, Edward H. Hartshorn, was elected to 
the office, which he held till his death, a period of 
fifteen years. Talents and energy, united with entire 
devotion to the interests of the school, won for him 
the reputation of a model superintendent. C. B. 
Rathbun, assistant superintendent, succeeded him^ 
and labored earnestlv and faithfullv for the school 



546 HISTORY OF THE 

under the great loss it had sustained. Truman P. 
Felton followed him; removing from town, served 
less than one year. Levi Babcock was chosen in his 
place. At the close of two years of faithful and effi- 
cient service, he resigned, Chas. M. Sawyer, present 
superintendent, was elected April i, 1892. 



BIOGRAPHICAL 



KARNES. 



It appears by the records that Fortunatus Barnes 
is named in the warrant calling the first town meet- 
ing April 12, 1784, as "a principal inhabitant of 
the district of Berlin," and such he undoubtedly was 
in general intelligence, enterprise and thrift. vSome 
other parts of the town had been settled fifty or 
more years before his advent here. By his posterity 
we may judge somewhat of the fountain head; all 
have borne an honorable record, and the name still 
adheres to the ancestral lands. May the founders of 
states be remembered. (vSee Cren., p. 276.) 

BROWN. 

Ira H. M. Brotvn, one of the schoolmasters of the 
olden time, deserves more than a passing notice. 
His education was obtained in our common schools, 
with the exception of one term in Mr. Bride's 
Academy. He taught in Northboro, Marlboro and 
Berlin. In addition to his other qualifications, he 
was a good musician, — playing in Brigham and 
Sawin's Orchestra, also in the choir at Feltonville, in 
the brick church on Gospel hill. He was of a quiet, 
unassuming nature, honest and upright in all his 
dealings. 



548 HISTORY OF THE 

COTTING. 

Gi'orgc A. Cottiiii;\ although never an inhabitant of 
the town, ever took a lively interest in its affairs, and 
was quite often present at public gatherings here. 
On one occasion he expressed his intention of leav- 
ing a donation to the town. His intention has been 
carried into effect bv a provision of his will giving to 
the town in trust the sum of $500, the income to be 
used for repairs in South cemetery. His name will 
be gratefully remembered. 

DTRSTON. 

Kci^ Alfred S. Dursion. The subject of this sketch 
came to Berlin in the .spring of 1877 as "book can- 
vasser," being engaged in raising funds wherewith 
to complete his studies, preparatory to entering the 
ministry, which he then had in view. The Rev. Mr. 
Houghton being quite ill at the time. Mr. Durston 
was engaged to supply liis pulpit, which service he 
performed for about eighteen months, or until Sep- 
tember, 1878. His ministrations during this period 
were highly satisfactory to the congregation, and 
were approved of by Mr. Houghton in terms of high 
commendation. Mr. Durston gained many warm 
friends while here, and his name is still held in high 
regard by the people of the town. In addition to his 
effective work in the church, he was a strong advo- 
cate of temperance, and a warm friend and supporter 
of the G. A. R., the Lyceum and the Brass Band. 
After leaving Berlin, he finished his universitv 
course in Syracuse, X. Y., and soon thereafter verv 
acceptably filled ^Methodist pastorates in Borodino 



.^ 




^ 


'■ ir ^ 




1 


^L d 




r 






^^^^ 






^■1 






H^^^^^^H|^^¥ 



REV. A. F. DURSTON. 




EDWARD H. HARTSHORN. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 



549 



and Syracuse, N. Y. Since 1883 he has filled the 
office of general secretary of the Y. M. C. A. of 
vSyracuse with good acceptance. He is prominent in 
Good Templar circles in New York, having been 
twice grand chaplain of the state. AVas a delegate 
to the convention of Y. M. C. A. at Amsterdam, 1891, 
and to the Jubilee in London, 1894. Mr. Durston 
was born in Somersetshire, Eng., Mav i, 1848; he 
lost his parents in early youth : came to this country 
when two years old ; passed his childhood in Mar- 
cellus, X. Y.; in 1887 he married Florence M. Wilson 
of Ogdensburg. X. Y. Have two children, ISIary A. 
and James A. 

FOSGATK. 

Charles O. Fosgatc, s. of Oliver Fosgate, is one of 
the musical fraternity of the town. He evinced early 
in life a predilection for music. His natural genius, 
aided by competent instruction, developed into a 
first-class teacher of music. His special forte was 
on the piano, but was proficient on other instru- 
ments. The field here was too limited and he 
sought the metropolis of Xew England, where he 
remained for twenty years or more. He now res. in 
San Diego. Cal. (^See Gen., p. 353.) 

IIAKTSIIOKX. 

Edward Hcnuc Hartshorn, though in business with 
his father and brother, W. H. Hartshorn, under the 
firm name of E. Hartshorn & Sons, resided in 
Berlin till his death and was active in town, church 
and society affairs, and was superintendent of the 
ConsfreQ^ational Sabbath school sixteen vears. At 



55" HISTORY OF THE 

the age of 23, and for some years, was town 
treasurer, and in 1869 represented the seventh Wor- 
cester district in the Legislature. During the war 
he served in Co. I, 5th Regt., M. V. M., and was 
greatly interested in the G. A. R. Post of the town. 
Was a member of the E. A. M., and of Berlin No. 
49, U. (). G. C. An intimate clerical friend gave the 
following summary of his life in the public press : 
*']\Ir. Hartshorn was a man of intellectual strength, 
vigor of mind, intense activity and reliability of 
character. The church, vSunday school, fraternal 
societies and all local interests of his town will feel 
his loss most keenl}^ His relation to his only brother 
was especially tender and ideal in constancy; indeed, 
few men have left such rare records as son, brother, 
husband and father." (See Gen., p. 374.) 

HASTINGS. 

ArtJiur Hastings. The subject of this sketch is 
entitled to special mention for his generosity in aid- 
ing the town in the cost of the illustrations of this 
work; but for him the large number of soldiers' por- 
traits herein would necessarily have been considera- 
bly abridged, for which gracious act his name will be 
held in grateful remembrance by all who may have 
any interest in the history of the town. The numer- 
ous offices and positions of trust and responsibility 
held by him in town are a sufficient testimonial of 
the high regard in which he is held. He was our 
last representative to the General Court, 1894. (For 
genealogy, see p. 378). 

Henry Whitney Hastings, s. of James j\I. Hastings, 
is justly entitled to further notice at our hands. 





N 



ARTHUR HASTINGS. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 551 

Impelled by a commendable ambition to acquire an 
education and fit himself for usefulness in some 
vocation congenial to his feelings, he took a course 
of study in the Boston University, and later gradu- 
ated from the Emerson School of Oratory in Boston. 
vSince graduation, he has given readings in various 
places with good acceptance. He is now professor 
of elocution in Mt. Hermon Institute at Northfield, 
Mass. 

Leslie Hastinos, Esq. Among the young men of 
the town who gave high promise of great usefulness 
was Leslie Hastings, the youngest son of Capt. C. S. 
Hastings. He was proficient in good scholarship, a 
graduate of Harvard College, and a lawyer by pro- 
fession. He was successful in practice, and had 
largely the confidence of those with whom he came 
in contact. His geniality and pleasant greetings won 
for him many friends. His early demise was a very 
serious loss to his friends and also to the community 
at large. (See Gen., p. 378.) 

Ruthven Hastings. We cheerfully record the fact 
that Ruthven Hastings should be classed among 
our most sagacious and far-seeing citizens. From 
early youth he was never free from liability to 
asthmatic attacks, which continued at intervals dur- 
ing his life. He sought the more balmy air of the 
south and of California, but of no avail as to per- 
manent cure. He was largely intrusted with the 
affairs of the town, as was his father before him. 
He passed away in mid-life at the age of 49, much 
lamented by his fellow townsmen. (See Gen., p. 

378-^ 



552 HISTORY OF I'HF, 

Rufus Sawyer Hastings, our former storekeeper 
and postmaster in the Centre, was the successor of 
William A. Howe and others in the old Howe store. 
By dint of good management and natural aptness for 
trade, he succeeded in maintaining the high reputa- 
tion of his predecessors for good accommodation and 
fair dealing. His trade was extensive (there being 
less competition then than now) and embraced much 
from out of town. Owing to his position, he knew 
more people and was known by more than anv other 
person in town. He never aspired for political 
honors, but confined his ambition mainly to the 
legitimate business in which he was engaged. He 
was for many years considered authority in matters 
of finance, and his judgment was largely sought and 
relied on in appraisement of estates and in the values 
of property generally. He was director for some 
years of the Clinton National Bank, and held other 
positions of trust and responsibility. He was cut off 
in mid-life in the midst of his usefulness at the age 
of 48 years. (See Gen., p. 380. 1 

IIODGKINS. 

Aseiiatk [Hoiio/iioii] [Hodgkins] Brown, probably a dau. 
of one Silas Houghton, whose residence was in the 
west part nearly opposite George W. Howard's, was 
a queer specimen of humanity truly. vShe was not 
devoid of a fair share of intellectual and natural 
capacity. Perhaps the characteristic for which she 
was most noted was her attachment to domestic 
fowls, from which for years she gained the prin- 
cipal means of her subsistence. These shared with 




ARTHUR HASTINGS PLACE. 



TOWN OF BERLIN". 553 

her the Uixuries of her table and kept vigil over her 
by night bv roosting on the footboard of her bed. 
She married in early life one Hodgkins in Boston, 
where she was employed a number of years. Her 
husband enlisted in the navy in the war of 1 8 1 2 ; 
was taken prisoner and carried to England and died 
in Dartmoor prison. She tried in vain for years for 
a widow's pension, but there were some links lack- 
ing in the chain. While a resident here she had 
other pseudo-husbands. One of these is still remem- 
bered, for his military title at least, as Col. Lewis 
Fagan — not the Fagan first on the David vSouthwick 
farm. Another, and the last, was a ]\Ir. Brown. 
Aunt 'vSeene was noted as a constant attendant on 
all festive occasions where there were free suppers. 
In consequence of over-indulgence at one of these she 
died Mar. 6, 1 869, age 79 years, at Henry D. Coburn's 
shop, where she was living at the time supported l)y 
the town. 

HOLDER. 

Saiiiml Holder, son of Daniel Holder, present resi- 
dence. Hudson, is one on whom nature has lavished 
a largfe share of her gifts in the line of music. His 
abilitv in this regard is certainly superior. In the 
Holder blood there is a musical vein. John Holder, 
uncle, was a prodigy at the time in musical perform- 
ances. Samuel has been in demand for fifty years 
or more to play on the clarinet or other instruments. 
He has played for public and private assemblies 
more than two thousand and three hundred times. 
This record shows the public regard for him as a 
musician. (See Gen., p. 382.) 



554 HIS'JORY OF THK 

JONES. 

Solojiioii Jones, son of Pelatiah Jones, is worthy 
special mention. He settled here in our midst ; 
had just completed his domestic domicile when he 
was taken away. He was a schoolmaster of the 
olden pattern. Had a special gift in debate, and 
was one largely relied on in the discussions at the 
South Part Lyceum. (See (ien., p. 410.) 

KEYES. 

Charles G. A'cyes, son of Ziba and Lois Keyes, was 
born in Berlin Oct. 19, 1831. After the education 
in the public school, with several terms at the Berlin 
Academy, he continued his studies, attending the 
Academy at Leicester, also at New Ipswich and 
Monson. He chose the profession of the law, and 
engaged in teaching as a means for prosecuting his 
studies ; teaching in his native town and vicinity, 
also in select schools in Holden and Williamsburg, 
Mass., being several times elected member of the 
School Board. He studied law at the Law School, 
Cambridge, and read law with Judge Chapin in 
Worcester. Was admitted to the bar in 1858, and 
commenced the practice of law at East Douglas ; re- 
moved from there to Hyde Park. In 1874 went to 
Jamaica Plain, his present residence, opening a law 
office at 28 State street, Boston, where he has re- 
mained. Served in the Legislature in 188 1. Tn 1884 
was appointed judge of the Municipal Court of the 
city of Boston for the West Roxbury district. (wSee 
Gen., p. 413). 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 555 

MaCELWAIN. 

Andrew MacEiwain and wife, Hasadiah, were 
among the first settlers on Wheeler hill ; lived just 
northeast of the great boulder ; the old cellar hole 
still goes by that name ; their land included the 
Spofford farm and all of Carterville and part of 
Powder House hill; his wife had land in her own 
right from John Moore, whose dau. she probably 
was ; no other record. 

MAVNARI). 

George \V. Mayiiard. Probably no man in Berlin 
took a greater interest in town affairs than the sub- 
ject of this sketch. In political matters he was pos- 
itive and influential; quick at retort, his thrusts 
were not easily parried. He will long be remem- 
bered for the good work he did as road commissioner; 
he was a positive force in the repairing and keeping 
in good order the roads of our town. Was success- 
ful in business as a shoe manufacturer in company 
with Elisha ]\I. Whitney. (See Gen., p. 426.) 

George liniersoii Mayiiard. The subject of this 
sketch was one of great promise in matters per- 
taining to business and trade. He early developed 
the faculty of clearly perceiving the value of things ; 
he sought wider fields for his adventurous spirit on 
the wide prairies of western Missouri. After the 
war (see his war record elsewhere), he returned to 
Missouri and made rapid strides in the acquisition 
of property ; did extensive trading in cattle ; fattened 
stock for the Chicago market, and carried on a large 
acreage of various crops. In the midst of prosperity 



556 HISTORY OF THE 

in early life he was cut off by that fatal cyclone 
which swept over his premises in June, 1880, killing 
him and his oldest daughter, Grace, leaving destruc- 
tion and desolation in its path ; his buildings, crops 
and cattle were destroyed. Oh, who can picture the 
horrors of that scene? (vSec Gen., p. 426.) 

MKRIAM. 

Dca. Jonathan Mcriavi, Esij. Whoever mav have 
studied the early history of Berlin may have per. 
ceived that the name of Meriam is frequentlv men- 
tioned among the names of prominence in church, 
district and town. Dea. Jonathan ]\Ieriam was an 
important factor in the development and regulation 
of affairs, public and private, in district and town ; 
in him was a clear, comprehensive intellect joined 
to high moral purpose; he possessed a diversity of 
talents ; was a safe counselor on matters pertaining 
to church or town affairs, in each of which he was 
deeplv interested ; as a scribe his records show much 
care in copying and recording ; as a land surveyor 
he was fully equal to those of his time. Men of his 
calibre and character give immense prominence and 
standing to any town in which they live. His 
brother, Amos, settled in Leominster, and from him 
may have sprung some of the more prominent fami- 
lies of this name in that locality. (^See Gen., p. 430.) 

MORSK. 

Lyman Morst\ Among the names of Berlin citizens 
worthy of special mention is that of Lvman Morse. 
The name stands for integrity, industry and frugality; 
by the exercise of these virtues he acquired a compe- 




LYMAN MORSE. 




E. IRVING SAWYER. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 557 

tencv ; he was a man whose word was as trood as his 
bond ; he carried on the farm and made shoes in the 
little shop just north of his honse. He took quite a 
number of boys from the reform school and gave them 
good instruction in the way of right living as well as 
in the art of making shoes. He held various places 
of trust and responsibility, and was highly respected 
by his fellow citizens. His early death was regarded 
by all as a public calamity ; he d. at the early age of 
54. (vSee Gen., p. 439.) 

I'OWERS. 

Major AiidniK' Apple ton Potocrs, s. of Dea. John 
Powers, m. vSarah Ann, dau. of Ephraim Howe, Jr.; 
was a shoemaker; res., hrst, Carterville, thence Hud- 
son, where he d. in mid-life much lamented. His 
wid. m. Parkman Nourse. He was first lieutenant 
of Co. I, 5tli Regt., ^lass. Vols., for nine months; 
was captain of same company for 100 days' sei-vice, 
and was promoted after the war to major of the 5 th 
Regt., Mass. ]\Iilitia. (vSee Gen., 453.) 

SAWYER. 

E. Irviui!:; Saivycr. Among the natives of the town 
who have won eminence and distinction in other 
localities is the subject of this sketch. The acquire- 
ments attained in our common schools he supple- 
mented by a course in Bryant & Stratton's Com- 
mercial College in Boston. He secured a place as 
clerk in S. H. Howe & Co.'s shoe manufactory in 
Marlboro. By his ability, fidelity and perseverance, 
has acquired an interest in the concern, and has been 



558 HISTORY OF THF. 

honored by his fellow-citizens to the office of alder- 
man of the City Council of Marlboro. 

Dea. Oliver Sazvyer was held in high esteem by his 
fellow townsmen, and deservedly so, as is shown by 
the repeated trusts and responsibilities in church 
and town he had in charge. He was one of those 
solid, substantial men whose opinion had weight in 
the community; he was frequently called to arbitrate 
in vexatious cases and to untangle the twisted web 
of neighborhood broils, ever counseling harmony 
and peace instead of contention and strife. He 
was one of those men who was an honor to the 
town in which he lived. It is the life and character 
of such men that have helped to make New England 
what it is. Long may his name be remembered for 
his good deeds and pious example. 

Stephen Saivyer, s. of A Ivan, after he attained his 
majority, spent a year in the store of Haman Hunt 
in Berlin. The outlook did not seem wide enough 
and he concluded that a larger field would be more 
promising to his hopes. In the spring of 1841, he 
left Berlin and at once found employment in the dry 
goods house of H. B. Claflin & Co., in Worcester. 
At that time the house of H. B. Claflin & Co. was 
the liveliest business house in the Commonwealth. 
When Mr. Claflin sought a larger field, Mr. Sawyer 
was retained as salesman in the succeeding firm. 
That firm was soon reconstructed under the name of 
B. L. Hardon & Co., Mr. Sawyer having an interest. 
After remaining in this position some years, on 
account of ill health, he was obliged to go out of 
business. After years of rest — a seeming waste of 




STEPHEN SAWYER, ESQ. 




MRS. E. IRVING SAWYER. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 559 



time, lie went into business with T. A. Clark and 

E. W. Ball, buying the stock of crockery, glassware, 
etc., of John Firth & Co., and renting the store they 
occupied. They soon outgrew^ their accommodations, 
and hired two large stores in Taylor's block. A few 
years more and these premises were too small, and 
they hired the third store, together with upper rooms. 
They now occupy more square feet of floor room 
than any other business house in their line of mer- 
chandise in New England. Mr. Sawyer has held 
many positions of public trust. He is director in 
the Mechanics National Bank, also in the Worcester 
Mutual Insurance Company; trustee in the Five 
Cents Savings Bank. Was one of the aldermen of 
the city under the mayorship of JiUson, Pratt, and 
Kelley,' together with other important trusts. 



SIIATTUCK. 



Elijah C. S/iattuck has ever been prominent in 
town since his advent here nearly a half century 
ago. He early in life devoted his time to study, and 
having completed the preparatory course in the 
classical department at Phillips Academy, Andover, 
entered Amherst College in 1846. Here he took 
first rank in his class, and would have graduated 
from this institution but for ill health, which com- 
pelled him to resign his studies in the midst of the 
course. After regaining his health in 1853, Mr. 
Shattuck settled in Berlin and engaged in the manu- 
facture of shoes, in which business, either as em- 
ployee or employer, he has been engaged to the 
present time. He was early elected a member of 
the School Committee, in which capacity he has 



560 HISTORY OF THE 

served for twenty-five years. He has also held other 
town offices of trust. In 1875 he was elected repre- 
sentative to the General Court from his district, em- 
bracing^ the towns of Clinton, Northboro and Berlin. 
He was a member of the original committee chosen 
to compile a town history, and assisted in that work 
until its completion. 

SMITH. 

j\ (Edison (j. SmitJi, son of Oliver vSmith, was one of 
youthful promise. He was endowed with superior 
talents ; was a graduate of Harvard College ; after 
graduation he became a high school teacher, which 
occupation he followed for several years with good 
acceptance until failing health compelled him to 
retire. He passed away early in life much lamented 
bv his fellow townsmen, Nov. 16, 1H74, at the age of 

45- 

?>OUTHWlCK. 

Pliny B. Sontlnvick, Esq., a native of Berlin, of pious 
ancestry, brought up in the good order of the Society 
of Friends, has ever been a stanch defender of 
religious liberty and the rights of man. In this 
he seems to have inherited the ancestral traits of his 
far-back progenitors, who suffered at Puritanic hands 
for opinion's sake. His education was obtained at 
the Friends' school in Bolton, supplemented by at- 
tendance at Thomas Fry's school and the Friends' 
Boarding vSchool at Providence, R. I. He early 
engaged in teaching school with good success in 
various jDlaces ; having a predilection for business 
he engaged in the manufacture of shoes in Carter- 



TO\\-N OF BERLIN. 56 1 

ville. Impressed with the truths taught by Rev. 
Adin Ballou, he quit the business here and joined 
the Hopedale community, where he continued until 
1866, when the institution disbanded, and he re- 
turned to his native town and settled in Carterville ; 
here he engaged in the coal, grain and livery busi- 
ness. His most distinguished characteristics have 
been his intense interest and unflagging zeal in all 
reform movements. The temperance cause has 
claimed his attention, perhaps, more than any 
other, although his activity and efficiency have 
been notable in the Farmers' Club, the Shakespeare 
Club, the Cyrange, and other organizations calculated 
to benefit humanity. He has held various positions 
of honor and trust; was president for a series of 
years of Worcester N. E. Temperance Society ; presi- 
dent of the Farmers' Club, as also of the Shakespeare 
Club ; was on the Board of Superintending vSchool 
Committee. 

WHEEI.ER. 

Erastus S. W heeler, mentioned in the foregoing 
genealogy, is worthy of further not.ce in these pages. 
He seems to have been a natural botanist and orni- 
thologist. With no special instruction other than 
that attained by his own observation and research, 
he acquired a knowledge of nearly all the plants and 
birds of this localitv, and could classify and arrange 
them in scientific order. At different periods he has 
lived in other sections ; first, in Tennessee, later in 
Georgia and South Carolina, and lastly in North 
Carolina. Berlin is specially indebted to him for his 
labors in setting out shade trees by the way-side in 
37 



562 HISTORY OF THE 

many places. His life work has been largely a labor 
of love for humanity, and he has well carried out 
the Scriptural injunction, "Lay not up for yourselves 
treasures on earth where moth and rust doth corrupt, 
and where thieves break through and steal." He d. 
Dec. 14. 1895. 

WIIITCOMP,. 

Myron L. Whitcoiiib. We record with genuine sat- 
isfaction a brief account of the well merited success 
of Myron L. Whitcomb since he left Berlin — the 
place of his birth and early education. After pass- 
ing through our common schools, he attended the 
high schools of Bolton and Northboro, and finally, 
in order to equip himself with the essential qualifica. 
tions for business, he took a course in the Bryant & 
Stratton Commercial College in Boston. After serv- 
ing as clerk in various places, he engaged with James 
H. Winchell, a large shoe manufacturer of Haver 
hill, Mass., and as luck would have it, he married the 
only daughter of his employer, and became a partner 
in the business. He has three sons. Mr. Winchell 
died Jan. 15, 1896, hence the management of a large 
estate will necessarilv devolve on him. 



W.M. .\. HOUGHTON'S SPEECH, APRIL 12, 1887. 

In reviewing our work we are impressed with the 
fact that the speech made by the Rev. W. A. Hough- 
ton, Apr. 12, 1887, at the Town Hall, on the occasion 
of the reception given to Chandler Carter, and on the 
presentation to the town of his portrait, should ap- 
pear in full on these pages. The report of the same, 



/" 



/^^-^ 




v^ 



I 




John H. 1'akkek, Si-f p. fjj. 



J 



MVUON I,. \\'llTT(()Mli. 







Mk 



EkASH-, S. \\'lItELE.J<. 



Mks. Mkrkiam (Baktlett) Holt. 
Sec p. 2S5. B., 1804. 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 563 

as published in the Berlin Enterprise, is as follows : 

Mr. Chairman : 

It is ever a pleasure to me to represent my native town. 
The longer I live the more I appreciate the privilege, and my 
gray hairs and so many years' companionship with our special 
benefactor have, perhaps, won me this opportunity. Having 
remembrance, somewhat, for three score years, of the familiar 
names of Berlin, and knowing much of their history, including 
the life of Mr. Carter as "schoolmate," "fellow soldier," when 
there was no fighting to do, as citizen, from his first vote, as 
nearest neighbor for thirty years, there may be some fitness in 
my position. And I want to say, just here, to the young that 
the longer 1 live the more confidence I have in the general 
good heartedness of men, and the more intimate my personal 
acquaintance, the more good qualities I find in them. If you 
would touch the real core of a man's life, do him a kindness. 
Probably Mr. Carter, in all his good will for us before, never 
thought so well of our responsively generous sentiment as he 
does now, and if any of you have failed to see his own respon- 
sive interest in us, you see it is because you could not look 
upon the heart. This good will to us is not the impulse of a 
moment. It is the maturing of long cherished good will. You 
do not know how many good wishes are breathed upon you 
which the lips do not utter. 

And you, Mr. Carter, my worthy fellow citizen, native with 
me of the town, you will not hear one-half of the benedictions, 
yes, and prayers, which will breathe in many hearts while you 
live. Indeed, coords seem so inadequate to express our obH- 
gation that many will restrain the words that come to them. 
We know our thanks are all you ask. But mere thanks seem 
Uke air bubbles. But in the name of these fathers of the 
town, in office, and in the name of all our citizens, I beg of 
you to believe that every citizen, uttering or restraining his 
words, is truly grateful. Let me add, also, the motherhood of 
the town, and our modest maidens. Our children will hold 



564 HISTORY OF THE 

you in remembrance. And, perhaps, more than I have said 
has been wrought into a few lines by that graceful poetic pen 
which has already given our native town a good reputation in 
that line. It will be read to you. 

One thing just here, fellow citizen. Not that I have the 
least occasion to say it in connection with this free gift ; I 
have not. The contrary every way. But! have heard, in my 
life time, when some person of larger means than others has 
made a generous gift, or generous subscription, even in com- 
mon, the contemptible remark, "he is able," "she is able," 
" can afford to do it." Such a spirit prevalent would sink 
any community. That is the spirit that doesn't thank God for 
His gifts because He is "able" to give. Doesn't cost Him any 
self-denial. True " the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness 
thereof, gold and silver, the cattle upon a thousand hills." But 
God docs like to be acknowledged and thanked. He does not 
like to be told He is able and could do it as well as not. 

Now, somehow, I cannot, of late years, talk much about 
anybody without getting into their "genealogy." "Mr. So 
and So." "Yes, I know that name." " What was your father's 
given name?" "Why, Abel." " And your grandfather's ? " 
"Well, I //^/'///(' his name was Abel." "Yes; and your great- 
grandfather's? " " Well, there's where you've got me." 

Here is Neighbor Bassett ; I don't believe he will get through 
with that picture without some genealogical tangle ; for my 
Neighbor Chandler's own aunt married into Richmond. But \ 
don't mean he shall use my thunder. I am speaking for the 
town, but I don't propose to give you Berlin genealogies ; I'll 
furnish that one of these days. But you ask Mr. Bassett if he 
knows anything about a man till he knows his genealogy. It 
is blood that tells. " Stock in trade " is nothing to stock in 
blood. 

The year we were set off from Lancaster into Bolton was 
signalized by the birth of the first Berhn Carter, Stanton, 1738. 
He appears first in a purchase on east side of Third Division 
hill, probably the later Sanderson Carter place, 1763. But the 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 565 

homestead was on land now traversed by the Central Massa- 
chusetts railroad beyond Larkindale. 

The Carter stock, founded in Samuel of Cambridge College, 
England, was stanch Puritanic. The first two Samuels were 
Orthodox ministers. 

In Lancaster it became an even game which should be the 
most numerous — the Carters, the Wilders, or the Houghtons. 
It became more dubious when the second Samuel married 
Dorothy Wilder, and the third Samuel married Jemima 
Houghton. Samuel, 3d, and Jemima kept the record good 
in twelve Carter-Houghton children. I put this in to make 
out my kinship to my neighbor. Jemima Houghton was 
Chandler's great-great-grandmother. I have not been able 
to tell exactly my i-oiisaiiginnify with Jemima. 

The Carters sought for good blood in matrimony. They 
took in the Sawyer stock by way of Dorothy Wilder, whose 
mother was daughter of the famous saw-mill builder in Canada. 
She had in her also the John Prescott blood, the most vigorous 
probably of all Lancaster stock. No wonder that in the great 
Carter gathering, two years ago at Woburn, " there was not a 
bald head among them." We would not deprive the Carters 
of the high price of their original blood, but no doubt the 
present Carters are considerably indebted to the Sawyer and 
the Houghton stock. We don't think they owe it " twenty 
thousand dollars," but we trust they will not take offense at 
our showing of kinship. 

So we have made out the pedigree of our generous bene- 
factor thus : Thomas, Samuel, Samuel, 2d, Samuel, 3d, Stanton, 
Daniel, Chandler — seven generations. 

The Carters and the Houghtons were about equally repre- 
sented in the west school, Berlin. The house stood very near 
the present residence of George Felton. Chandler was my 
seat-mate, I don't know for how long, but he was certainly one 
of the most honest school-boys I ever sat with. I don't believe 
he ever "laughed out" in school or "in meeting." He was 
very diligent in his lessons. Of course I was a good boy in such 



566 HISTORY OF THE 

company, but I used to astonish him by my fluency in gram- 
mar. He seemed very much dazed when I stood up in my seat 
beside him and recited to Baxter Woods, say the 21st rule of 
Murray, "When the (juality of different things is compared, 
the latter noun or pronoun is not governed by the conjunction 
than or as (for conjunctions have no government of cases), but 
agrees with the verb, or is governed by the verb, or by the 
preposition expressed or understood ; as. Thou art wiser than I, 
that is, than I am." 

I did not know then why C!handler spent so much of his 
time on arithmetic ; still I used to hear it ever enjoined that 
we must know how to reckon money at interest. I see now 
how much more arithmetic did for Chandler than grammar 
did for me. Let the boys give heed to arithmetic, especially 
interest : grammar has gone out of date. The old idea was to 
put language together, the latter is to tear it into shreds till it 
doesn't mean anything. 

The wealth of school-boys in those days consisted mainly in 
a jjin-box made of elder, the pith pushed out, filled with dis- 
torted pins ; a pop-gun, made in like manner ; a home-made 
metallic lead pencil to rule the writing book, and a shaky jack- 
knife. I think Chandler was a lucky fellow in pins, as he has 
been in interest. I never was in luck on pins more than in 
simple interest. He and I attempted once to trade in jack- 
knives ; not in school, we didn't do that. I wanted his knife, 
but he wanted two cents " to boot." He said he "candidly" 
thought it was worth it. That was my first idea of the word 
"candid," "candidly." I learned that of my seat-mate, out 
of school, of course, and never hear of a candid man to this 
day without thinking of Chandler Carter. He was a candid 
boy ; he made a candid man ; he has dealt candidly with all 
men, in all business transa6lions. I think his candor has done 
as much for him in gathering in his interest as his diligence in 
arithmetic. " As the twig is bent, the tree is inclined." I 
don't think he would sleep o' nights if he had dealt uncan- 
didlv. He came over to my house once to persuade me that I 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 567 

had just paid him too much interest. In school sports, my 
seat-mate was a hard one to handle, as I could see, keeping 
out of his grasp. It was said, too, by those who knew, that he 
was great in the dance. He and I had nothing in common 
on that line. 

I want just to say publicly, before I leave his school days, 
that I think 1 beat him in penmanship. He may have been 
better looking than I was, but that didn't make him handsome. 
You couldn't have got that fine picture out of his face then, 
l^pright living improves a man's face. 

Turning now to more sober facts of life, I was called at 
midnight, at my guardian's. Esquire Meriam, in 1824, to carry 
tidings to I,ancaster of the dying condition of Mr. Daniel Car- 
ter. In those days every family sorrow was felt through the 
town. Mr. Carter was little more than three score when he 
died. His mother was then living. I recall her tottering step, 
bending form and convulsive emotions as she placed her 
.trembling hand on her son's brow in his coffin, and then the 
family train, five sons and two daughters with families and two 
sons unmarried. It seems strange to me that I need say to 
any Berlin citizen that this was on the homestead now owned 
by Mr. Bancroft. 

They tell an anecdote of Mr. Carter and his minister. Dr. 
Puffer came across him by the highway loading heavy logs. 
Mr. Carter was wrestling with one of them. The minister 
deliberately watched the tussle, when the log got the better of 
the man, and they both went down .together. Mr. Carter was 
not the man to whine, but he did groan that time. " I de- 
clare," said Mr. Puffer, " did it hurt you? " " Hurt me, yes ! " 
with a wish uj^on the minister not to be put on paper. Dr. 
Puffer was not a man to wrestle with logs. 

From the death of his father, our friend and benefactor 

' made his way in life on his own responsibility. Nobody had 

heard of ten hours for a day's work ,; nor for a hired man 

"from sun to sun." The light of the sun was not long enough 

for the longest days sixty years ago. 



568 HISIORY OF THE 

Many of you have heard Mr. Carter tell of his labor experi- 
ences. But money hard earned spent well ; gains well by 
prudent accumulation. A kind Providence has attended the 
industrious frugal young man up to his three score and ten, 
plus. Two most worthy wives have been helpmeets for him. 
The children have been stricken down ; the wives are no more, 
and now in declining years our fellow-citizen seeks to make a 
worthy use of all his prudent accumulations. Content, him- 
self, to live in simplicity when he might be in the enjoyment 
of most abundant luxury, he includes in his good will not alone 
those akin by flesh and blood, but his townsmen ; the religious 
society which he has before so much fostered, and orphan 
children, not one of whom, perhaps, he ever saw. 

It devolves on me to speak only, at this time, of his munifi- 
cent gift to the town. In this Mr. Carter illustrates one of 
the noblest traits of American citizenship. Next to one's 
family and one's most preferred church, citizenship is a tie 
most ennobling. " My native town " is a sentiment next to 
" my native country." I think the stirring of his heart in the 
Carter name of late has, perhaps, cjuickened his interest in us 
as fellow-citizens. For one I can say that my search and find- 
ings in the memorial I have made out of Berlin families have 
greatly intensified my interest in the living families. Mr. Car- 
ter feels, with nie, the short tenure we ha\e in our hold on the 
living. He would leave to those we must leave so soon such 
an expression of his interest in them as will, in some measure, 
make our bonds perpetvial. "We live in deeds." 

I believe nothing would be more congenial to Mr. Carter's 
sentiments and desire than that his generosity should serve as 
a bond of good fellowship in the promotion of sympathy one 
with another as citizens of the same town, identified in our 
aims and purposes to help one another. He has never sought 
to increase his wealth at the expense of another, be he citizen 
or stranger, above all a citizen, neighbor, or kindred. C'on- 
vince him that he had and he would restore four-fold. 

As citizens we are a township, one body bound, naturally, 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 569 

by common interests. We are a small town, surely, therefore 
we should each seek the welfare of every other, even as we 
know each other better because we are a small town. Less 
than a thousand ? For that reason we know each other better 
than we should know any other thousand persons were ten 
thousand on the same territory. Town relationship is very 
sacred. This is the reason so many go back in their sympa- 
thies, in sunset years, and remember in some generous way 
their native town. 

It is not so often that a man who has spent his life in the 
place of his birth, amid the divisions of the town into parties 
and sects — not so often that such an one holds on upon his 
nati\e town with so much common symi)athy as to make gen- 
erous donations for its welfare — as our fellow-citizen has done. 
We have often contravened his judgment in town affairs ; in 
nothing, perhaps, so much as in incurring a heavy debt. But 
he does not leave us to smart under it. Rather, proposes to 
lift us out of the difificulty which his vote would have avoided. 
Berlin is not alone in her errors, but she is alone, I think, in 
having one who ojjposed our errors to lift us out of it. The 
management of town affairs is a great responsibility, and public 
officers do well to weigh opposing opinions in steady balances. 

Our benefactor could easily have expended on himself 
what he has bestowed upon us and no man would ha\e said 
aught. Of course we have only praise to bestow. But this 
cannot be as gratifying to him as the assurance, which we trust 
he may feel, that the town not only responds to his gift, but 
that we will hereafter endeavor to exercise generous good will 
in town relationship, and to use all prudence in our business 
transactions. Few, propably, will attain to Mr. Carter's finan- 
cial ability, but we can, one and all, take the lesson which his 
course teaches us, namely, to make our prosperity a mutual 
matter. Let every man seek another's prosperity as well as 
his own. It is a divine law that help begets help to the helper. 

I do not like to say in all our comforts that Berlin is a poor 
town. Our financial wealth is certainly small ; our financial 



570 HISTORY OF THE 

expenses must still continue to be great. There are few towns, 
I am sure, where voluntary contributions for religious societies- 
so nearly equal, and in many cases exceed, town assessments. 
AVe congratulate the society which is relieved of such a burden 
by the same generous benefactor. We rejoice in the lessening 
of life's burdens everywhere. 

The occasion may warrant the suggestion of better hopes 
for the town in time to come. There is more inducement for 
good citizens and families to come into a town not encumbered 
by debt. J.arge business is yet shy of us, but a current is 
setting in, which, by encouragement, might make the town a 
summer resort for a very worthy class of boarders for the open 
season. One hour and little more from Iioston, with several 
opportunities daily for coming and going, cannot long fail of 
bringing about good results, taken in a business view. 

In short, if the spirit of good will and mutual helpfulness 
which this great help to us all suggests and urges upon usr 
shall be cherished and exemplified, the future of Berlin is hope- 
ful. Should we fail to show this spirit it will be our reproach, 
but the deed of our benefactor will still stand as a memento of 
his earnest desire for our good and an assurance of his noble 
generosity. 



TESTIMONIAL. 



The undersigned, members of the eommittee, de- 
sire to put on record a brief statement in relation to 
the completion of the history, as left by Mr. Hough- 
ton, The work of rewriting, compiling and publish- 
ing the work has been left largely in the hands of 
Mr. Bassett, who has acted as chairman of the com- 
mittee. From previous experience in writing a 
history of his native town (Richmond, N. H.), he 
possessed superior qualifications for the work in 
hand. The positions of honor, trust and responsi- 



TOWX OF BERLIN. 57 I 

bility held by him in town will be found by an ex- 
amination of varioiis pages of this book. We accord 
to him diligence and faithfulness in the performance 
of the arduous and difficult task imposed, and be- 
lieve that the result of his labors is alike credit- 
able to the town and the author who began the 
work. 

E. C. Shattuck, 

P. B. vSOUTHWICK, 

Geo. F. Pratt, 

i oDiniiticc. 



NOTABLE REMOVALS 

AND CHANGES IN TOWN NEAR TI[E CLOSE OE THE 
YEAR 1895. 

The Metropolitan Water Works' loeation for tun- 
nel and aqueduct fixed from Larkin's mountain tc 
Northboro line. 

A branch of the Lyman School for Boys established 
on the Edward Flag-^^ farm. Flagg sold the farm 
and bought the Mills place in New Worcester (so 
called). 

The old Stephen Southwick farm sold by the pres- 
ent incumbent, Mrs. Reuben A. Wheeler, to Charles 
|. (j. Hubbard of Fitchburg. 

The R. vS. Hastings store at the Centre changed 
occupancy, from C. vS. White to H. E. Lasselle, for- 
merly of the vSouth Berlin store. 

The Unitarian stables built, December, 1895. 

E. C. Shattuck appointed postmaster in place of 
C. vS. White, December, 1895. 

John Draper, a former hotel keeper here, is now 
(Jan. I, 1896) occupant of the Berlin Hotel (the old 
Meriam place). 

John F. Larkin sold his farm to Lyman Kendall of 
Boylston. The tunnel goes under the farm near the 
house. 

The Arad Taylor place has been sold by Jos. B. 
Moore to Joseph Welch of Fitchburg. 

Lewis I^. Carter has bargained his farm to his 
brother, Jonas H. Carter. 



CONCLUSION. 



As the weary mariner, after a long voyage of ex- 
ploration, is about to enter the port from which he 
took his departure, laden with the fruits of his 
research, rejoices in the near prospect of relief 
from continual observation, so we, who have been 
journeying amid the faded memories of the aged 
and the musty manuscripts of past ages, exult and 
rejoice that our diversified observations and numerous 
peregrinations are prospectively drawing to a close; 
but to one who has been for a considerable time de- 
voted to a particular line of study or research, the 
laying aside of what may be considered a heavy 
burden is fraught with lively sensations of joy, 
mingled with modified feelings of regret. (The 
work of writing a town history, when perfection is 
aimed at, but hardly attainable, is truly an Herculean 
task under ordinary circumstances.) The committee 
who have had the work in charge bear cheerful tes- 
timony to the great value of the labors of Mr. 
Houghton in laying the foundation by collecting 
the statistics of early families, and by gathering 
valuable historical data which must be of special 
interest to all having any connection with the town. 
The town certainly owes a debt of gratitude to the 
author for his labor of love. The original design 
seems to have been to publish mainly family history 
and biography. We have seen fit to broaden the 



574 HISTORY OF THE 

scope intended by inserting such topics of town 
history as appear worthy of preservation. 

It will be noticed that considerable space has been 
allotted to our soldiers who served in the War of 
the Rebellion; for this we make no apology, and 
none is demanded. Their names should be kept in 
perpetual remembrance for the sacrifices they made 
for liberty on their country's altar. Probably the 
most novel feature of our work will be found in the 
large number of its illustrations ; especially the por- 
traits of citizens and soldiers, so largely presented, 
may truly be regarded as a new departure from old 
beaten paths. In this we have only attempted to 
keep pace with the progress of the age in the line of 
art. Our aim and intent have been more particularly 
to transmit to posterity the looks of Berlin people as 
well as their acts. Not alone the portraits of the 
more distinguished have been sought, but those of 
all others of the people — of the common people, who 
constitute the bulk of the town. We regret that we 
have been unable to secure the pictures of some one 
of many families, which would have added materially 
to our collection. From motives of delicacy, or, pos- 
sibly, of fear that their looks might not reflect the 
goodness of their hearts, they have hesitated to have 
their pictures examined by the thousands who will 
first or last peruse the pages of this book. We re- 
gret that some misplacements will be found in both 
the genealogical and historical parts of the work, but 
all will be found by reference to the index. 

We fondly cherish the hope that this book, so long 
in preparation, may be of permanent value, not only 
to those now living, but also to those who may come 



TOWN OF BERLIN. 575 

after us. It is quite probable that copies of this 
work may be found when not a single descendant of 
the first settlers, or even of those now living here, 
will occupy this territory, such are the changes 
wrought by time. It may truly be regarded as 
fortunate for the town that so many of the frag- 
ments have been gathered up which might have 
been lost for all time but for the labors in the first 
place of the Rev. William A. Houghton. 

Berlin, January, 1896. 



HISTORICAL INDEX. 









PapTC 


A 


PiiaC. 


Constables 


243 


Abandoned Farms 

Academy, Bride's 

Agnostics 

Agriculture and Ilorticu 

Assessors 


48 
105 

. 138 

Iture 88 

240 


Continental Money . 
County, Division of . 
County Roads . 
Convention to Alter the 
Constitution 


39 

72 

54 
68 


B 




D 




Bell Purchased 
Bell Broken 
Berlin Surveyed 
Berlin Territorially . 


71 
73 
54 
45 


Deaths, Accidental, etc. . 
Decoration Day 
Delegates to Convention 
District of Berlin 


213 

200 

82 

28 


Blacksmiths 
Bridges 


93 
81 


Doctors .... 
Donations to Cong. Church 


219 
124 


c 




E 




Carpenters 
Carter Fund 


95 
129 


Ecclesiastical 
Ecclesiastical Controversy 


1 10 
"5 


Carter Donation 


204 


Emigration . . - . 


29 


Carter Reception and Pc 


jrtrait 205 


Exchanges by Dr. Puflfer . 


115 


Cemetery, Old 


144 


F 




Cemetery, New 


145 




Centennial Celebration, 


200-202 


Farmers' Club 


230- 


Church Centennial . 


126 


Federal Money, Grants in 


55 


Church's Request to To\ 


vn 1 1 7- 1 19 


Fire Apparatus 


202 


Civil Service Reform 


201 


Fire-proof Safes 


199 


Clamshell Pond 


. 18-46 


Fires, Buildings Burned 


216 


Clock 


202 


Forest Trees 


48 


Coffins Furnished 


75 


G 




Cold Year 


67 




Comb Making . 


97 


Gates' Pond . . 18 


46-200- 


Common, Ownership of 


76 


Gift Rejected . 


193 


Common, Plan of 


68 


Golden Cross . 


220 


Coopers . 


94 


Grange, P. of M. 


203 



577 



H 

Hat Making 

Hearse .... 
Hearse House Removed . 
History while Part of Bolton 
History while Part of Lancaster 
Hopedale Community 
House for the Poor . 



Page. 
97 
55 
67 
20 
6 
231 



I 



Incorporation . 

Incorporation of District 

Indians 

Inns and Inn Keepers 

Inoculation 

Introduction 



Jury Boxes 

Justices of the Peace 



Kequasagansett Lake 
King Philip's War . 
King William's War 
Knapsacks 



55-69-81 



57-58 
32 
18 
98 

57 
1-6 



43 
245 



18 

-10 

II 

57 



Lamps 

Lancaster Inhabitants Re 

jected 
Lancaster Resettled 
Larkin, Peter, Admitted to 

Town 
Lawsuit with Bolton 
Lawsuit with Maynard 
Library 
Lyceum . 



M 



Masons 

Medicine and Extracts 
Meeting House, First 
Meeting House, New 
Methodist Church 
Methodist Ministers . 
Memorial Hall 
Military Organizations 
Militia, Enrollment of 
Militia Organized 
Millerites 
Mill Owners 
Millwrights 
Moderators 

N 

Nashua Plantation 
Nashua Tribe Indians 
Nipmucks 
Northboro Line 
Noyes Survey . 



59 
II 

55 

74 

199 

221 

228 



Page. 
96 

97 
no 

69-73 
129 

131 

150 

140 

1S2-183 

54-140 

76 

95 
96 

237 



7 

6-10 

910 

55 



Map of Town 
Marines . 
38 



P 

Parish, South . . . no 

Paupers . . ■ • 215 

Penacook Indians . 10 

Petition to Court . . 54 

Petition for Relief . . 57 

Piano Purchased . . 209 

Portrait Artemas Barnes . 197 
Portrait Rev. W. A. Houghton 209 

Population . ■ • 236 

Post 54, G. A. R., . . 186 

Postmasters, List of 88 

Post Offices, ... 84 

Potash .... 97 

Pound and Stocks . 43 

Powder House . - 65-202 

President's Call . • 151 

Public Worship, Cost of . 139 
81 Puffer's, Rev. Dr., Exchanges 115 



;2 

181 



5 78 



INDEX. 



o 



Oueen Anne's War 



12 



R 



Kailroads 




82 


R. \\., Agricultural l^ra 


ich 


82 


R. R., Mass. Central 




83 


Recruits 




182 


Representatives 




244 


Roads 




77 


Road Bounds . 




82 


Rowlandson Massacre 




9 



School Districts N. & S. . 41 

School Districts E. iv W. . 42 

School Districts . . 73-101 

School Committees . . 243 

School Funds . . . 109 

School Money, Division of 53 55 

School in Centre . . 71 

School-house, West . 73 
School-houses, Religious 

Services in . . 70 

Schools and School-houses loi 

School in Town House . 73 

School, Select ... 68 
Schools, .Singing . 55-57-68 

School Teachers . . 109 

Selectmen ... 238 

Senators .... 245 

Shakespeare Club . . 224 

Shays' Rebellion . . 50 

Shepherd & Dwight . . 68 

Shoe Shops, Parker's . 90 
Shoe Shops, Other . 91-92-93 

Sleeping Rock . . . 19-48 

.Society of Friends . . 136 
Soldiers, History of Deceased 152 
Soldiers Who Survived the 

War . . . . 162 

Soldiers of i6th Reg. . 162 



Soldiers of 25th Reg. 
.Soldiers of 22nd Reg. 
Soldiers of 29th Reg. 
.Soldiers of 26th Reg. 
Soldiers of 53rd Reg. 
.Soldiers of 5th Reg. 
Soldiers of nth Reg. 
Soldiers of 27th Reg. 
Soldiers of 6th Reg. 
-Soldiers of 36th Reg. 
Soldiers of 3rd Cavalry 
Soldiers of Heavy Art. 
Soldiers' Uniform 
South Parish 
Stables on Common . 
Stage Coach 

Stores and Store Keepers 
.Surplus Revenue 

T 

Tanning . 

Tax on Dogs 

Tax on Pews 

Temperance Society . 

Tithingmen 

Town and Church Division 

Town Census . 

Town Clerks 

Town, Division of 

Town Farm 

Town Grants 

Town House, Old 

Town House, New . 

Town Meeting . 35 

Town, Name of 

Town's Health 

Town Vote of Thanks 

Tories 

Tramp House . 

Treasurer and Collector 

Treaty Ratified 

Trees on Common 



164 
165 
167 
167 
167 
168 
174 
174 
175 
175 
173 
178 

55 
30 
67 
84 
99 
74 



97 

54 

68 

220 

65 

73 

74 

238 

194 

81 

3S 

72 

194. 

70-72 

30 
21 r 

71 

26 
200 

242 

49 
76 



INDEX. 



579 



u 

Unitarian Society 
Unitarian Meeting House 

V 

Valuation 
Veterans, Sons of 

w 

War, King Philip's . 
War, French and Indian 
War of the Revolution 
War, Preparation for 
Warofi8i2 . 
War of Rebellion 
War Meetings . . • 
Washacum Lake 



Page. 
127 
129 



236 
191 



S 
20 

22 

48 

59 
146 

151 
19 





Page. 


Water Trough . 


204 


Well on Common 


56 


Wheelwrights . 


96 


Wire-drawing . 


97 


W. C. T. U. . 


234 


Wool-carding . 


97 


Worcester County, Div 


of 54-199 


Y 




Year of Disaster 


74 


\-^n«,„ I">a^^ 


201 



ADDENDA. 



544 
545 



Gates' Pond Taken . 

Orthodox Sunday School, 

W. A. Houghton's Speech, 562-570 

Testimonial, . . • 57 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



Harnes, Fortunatus 
Brown, Ira H. M. 
Cotting, Geo. A. 
Durston, Rev. A. S. 
Fosgate, C. O. 
Hartshorn, E. H. 
Hastings, Arthur 
Hastings, Henry W. 
Hastings, Leslie, 
Hastings, Ruthven 
Hastings, R. S. 
Hodgkins, Asenath 
Holder, Samviel 
Wm. A. Howe 
lonts, Solomon 





Page. 




rage. 


547 


Keyes, Chas. G. 


554 




547 


MacElwain, Andrew 


555 




548 


Maynard, Geo. W. . 


555 




548 


Maynard, Geo. E. 


555 




549 


Meriam, Jona., Esq. 


556 




549 


Morse, Lyman 


556 




550 


Towers, A. A. . 


557 




550 


Sawyer, E. Irving 


557 




551 


Sawyer, Dea. Oliver 


558 




551 


Sawyer, Stephen 


558 




552 


Shattuck . 


559 




552 


Smith, A. G. . 


560 




553 


Southwick, P. B. 


560 




563 


Wheeler, Erastus S. . 


561 




554 


Whitcomb, Myron L. 


562 



GENEALOGICAL INDEX. 



A 






Page. 




I'ugc. 


Bruce 


311 


Adams 


247 


Bryant 


312 


Allen 


247-24S 


Burke 


312 


Ames 


248 


Butler 


313 


Andrews . 


249 


Bullard . 


314 


B 




c 




Babcock . 


250-256 


Caldwell . 


314 


Kailey 


256-269 


Canouse . 


315 


Baker, Hon. Sam'l 


269-274 


Carter 


315-326 


Baker, Benj. 


274 


Cartwright 


326-327 


Ball 


275 


Carvelle . 


327 


Barber 


275 


Chamberlin 


327 


liarker 


. 276 


Coburn 


. 328 


Barnes 


276-282 


Collins . 


. 328 


Barnard . 


282-284 


Conant 


329 


Bartlett . 


284-288 


Coolidge . 


329-330 


Barter 


288 


Cotting . 


330 


Bassett . 


288 


Coulson . 


331 


Bennett . 


289 


Crossman 


33' 


Benway . 


290 


Crosby 


332 


Berry 


290 


Christy . 


332 


Bickford . 


290-291 


Clarke . 


333 


Bigelow . 


291-294 


Cutting . 


333 


Bliss 


294-295 


D 




Boyce 


296 




Bowman . 


296 


Dakin 


333 


Bruce 


297-301 


Dailey 


333 


Bride 


302-306 


Davis 


334 


Brigham . 


306-309 


Day 


334 


Brewer 


. 309-10 


Derby 


334 


Brooks 


310 


Dewey 


335 


Brown 


• 310-11 


Dexter 


335 



58: 



Dinsmoie 
Dudley 
Dugan 
Dunn 



Eager 
Egery 
Ellis 
End 



Fairbanks 

Fagin 

Farwell 

Fay 

Felton 

Fife 

Flagg 

Fletcher 

Foley 

Foster 

Fosgate 

Fox 

Fry 

Fuller 



Gage 

Gamble 

Gibbs 

Gates 

Garrity 

Gill 

Goddard 

Gott 

Grassie 

Greenleaf 

Griggs 

Green 

Guertin 

Gunnison 



E 



IXl 


KX. 


Pai^e. 




335 




335 


Hale 


33^ 


Hapgood . 


336 


Harper 




Hartweli . 




Hartley . 


336 


Hartshorn 


336 


Hastings . 


337 


Haynes . 


337 


Hibbard . 




Hoar 




Holbrook 


337-341 


Holder . 


341 


Ilolman . 


34' 


Holt 


341-345 


Houghton 


345-347 


Howard . 


347-348 


Howe _^. 


348 


Hudson . 


340 


Hunt 


350 


Hunting . 


350 


4 


350-354 




354 


Jackson . 


354-356 


Jenkins 


356 


Jewett 




Johnson . 




Jones 


357 




357 




357 


Kerley 


357-359 


Keyes 


359 


Keating . 


359 


Kelley 


360-366 


Killam 


366 


King 


367 


Knight 


367 




368 




368-370 


Larkin 


370 


Livingston 


370 


Lawrence 



H 



1 


'aae. 




371 




371 




372 




372 




373 


373 


-375 


375 


-380 




3S0 




38. 




381 




381 


382 


-384 




384 




385 


385 


-392 




393 


394 


-398 


398 


-399 




399 




400 




401 




401 




401 


402-407 


407-411 




411 


41: 


■415 




415 




415 




416 




416 




417 


41: 


•-422 




422 




422 



INDEX. 



583 



Page 
Paare. 


L°"g'^>' . • • • 4^ Richardson ... 469 


M Robbins . . . • 469-470 


Mccarty . . . • 423 Rose . . • • 470 


McPhearson 




424 Rudersdoff ..-47^ 


Marsh 




• '"' S 
424-429 ^ 


Maynard . 




Meriam . 




420-432 Sawyer 


471-491 


Miller 




432-433 Sawtelle . 


492 


Moore 




433-43° Severance 


492 


Moran 




438 Shattuck . 


492-494 


Morse 




439-440 Shepherd 


494 


Mossman 




440 Small 


495 


Smith 


495-496 


N 

•^ Snow 


496 


Newsome, • • • 44 ' Southwick 




497-501 


Newton .. • • 441-443 Spofford . 




501-503 


Nourse . • • • ^^'^ Starkey . 




503-504 


Staples . 
Stetson . 




504 




504 


Oscood . . • • 445 Stone 




505 


Stratton . 




505 


A Sweet 




506 


Tarmenter 
Parks 


445 

446 T 


Paine 




. . • 447 Taft . • • • ,506 


Parker 






447 Taylor . 


506-507 


Peters 






448 Temple . 


507 


Pierce 






448 Tenney . . 


507-508 
508 


Pollard 






449-452 Thompson 


Power-s 






452-454 Tisdale . 


509 


Pratt 






454 Townsend 


509 


Priest 




457-461 Turner . 


509 


Proctor 


461 Tyler 


509-510 


I'ry 
Puffer 


. . . 461 

462 u 


„ L pham . • • • ^ 


Rand . . • 463-464 V 


Randall . . • 464-465 ;ii 


Rathbun 








465-466 \ inals 







;84 



INDKX. 



w 






ADDENDA. 






Page. 


I'age. 


VValcott . 


5" 


Coffran .... 537 


Walker . 


5" 


Davis, Geo. C. 




537 


Wallis 


511 


Dawson, . 




537 


Walter . 


512 


Dyar 






637 


Wheeler . 


512-529 


(ioddard, E. M 






538 


Whitcomb 


529 


Howe, C. A. . 






538 


White 


530-533 


Jewett 






539 


Whitney . 


533 


Laybolt 








539 


Wilder . 


534 


Merrill 








539-541 


Williams . 


534 


Mills 








541 


Winship . 


534 


M orse 








541 


Winter 


535 


Otterson 








542 


Wood 


535 


I'aige 








542 


Woodbviry 


535 


Terry 








543 


Woodward 


535 


Tierce, A. F. 






543 


Worster . 


. • 536 


Segar 






544 


Y 




Schubert 






544 




Smith 








544 



Young 



536 



7^60^ 



t/ 



(^^^' 



ai. 



